Waves of knowledge
Interactive TV program seeks to popularize marine sciences and understanding of the ocean among the general public, Li Yingxue reports. Liang Xixiang, captain of the research vessel Kexue, welcomes a group of children aboard the ship as part of an educational tour. They explore various areas, starting from the fore-deck and moving to the control room, aft deck and central control laboratory. During the tour, Liang introduces the living facilities, the dynamic positioning system, and the remarkable "submarine buoy" that's capable of collecting data about ocean currents and forecasting abnormalities in weather. Liang further explains that the control room's screen displays real-time data collected at depths ranging from zero to 400 meters in the western Pacific Ocean. By comparing this data with previously collected information and conducting comparisons with nearby targets, scientists can uncover patterns and variations in ocean currents and identify any abnormalities. "This analysis plays a crucial role in studying future climate changes and predicting potential climate-related disasters," he says. Liang's tour is a significant component of the Ocean Open Class, an interactive TV program focused on marine and maritime culture. This program invites renowned scientists, experts from research institutions, and volunteers from the People's Liberation Army Navy and marine environmental organizations to deliver engaging lectures. On June 8, in celebration of World Oceans Day, which was themed "The Planet Ocean's Changing Tide", the Ocean Open Class debuted on Fujian South East TV and Fujian Straits TV. The show provides comprehensive and multi-perspective explanations on various ocean-related topics, including marine territorial issues, marine economy, marine technology, marine culture and marine ecology. It received such widespread attention that it registered the third-highest viewership among satellite TV channels, according to the ratings from CSM Media Research. Following the broadcast, the program garnered over 170 million online views and was livestreamed on 30 online platforms, with a total viewership exceeding 50 million. Furthermore, the program's short videos garnered over 60 million views.