Celebrating 20 Years of Postkodmiljonären
This weekend, TV4 is turning up the celebration dial as Postkodmiljonären marks two decades on screen. The two jubilee episodes focus on the years that have passed, with host Rickard Sjöberg hinting at a mix of the dramatic, the funny, and the unpredictable that viewers love. Sjöberg says audiences can expect more memories and mishaps alike as the show looks back at its long journey—and looks ahead at what might come next.
A long-running Swedish favorite
Postkodmiljonären first aired in 2005, and in the years since it has become a beloved fixture of Swedish television. Sjöberg notes that it’s rare for a program to stay on the air for so long, and he places connections to other enduring programs alongside the show. He mentions high-profile examples like Ingvar Oldsberg’s På spåret with its 22-year run, Lennart Hyland’s Hylands hörna at 21 years, and Lasse Kroner’s Doobidoo, which shares a similar longevity. Asked whether beating those records is a goal, Sjöberg smiles and says it would be nice, but it isn’t the driving force behind his commitment to the show.
Why he stays in the chair
So what keeps Sjöberg in the hot seat after 20 years? He explains that the rhythm of filming and distributing winnings—whether during a standard episode or a post-casino-like moment in the Postkodlotteriet—ends up being exhausting but deeply rewarding. “Every time I come home from a shoot with a fresh set of contestants in the hot seat, or after a big payout moment, I feel tired but incredibly glad,” he reflects. Those small, human moments—shared laughter, surprising answers, and the occasional blunder—have been a cornerstone of his experience and a big part of what’s made the show feel like a home for him.
Moments that define the last two decades
Among his fond memories is the 2023 million-euro-like moment when Jonas von Essen secured the grand prize, an achievement Sjöberg calls truly admirable. The host also remembers contestants who didn’t win big prizes but still left a lasting impression because of on-air gaffes, laughter, or moments of genuine suspense. These memories—both triumphant and humorous—have helped shape a program that remains engaging for viewers and instructive for a host who has learned to navigate the ebbs and flows of live television.
Studio as a home fortress
The past two decades haven’t been all sunshine. Sjöberg is frank about the life factors that have come and gone during the run—marriages, children, and personal challenges—yet the studio has remained a steady, almost protective space. At 56, he describes the set and his colleagues as a “hemmaborg,” a home fortress where routines are predictable, camaraderie is strong, and viewers know what to expect from week to week. That sense of security has helped him weather both the professional and personal storms that have occurred along the way.
Looking to the future: how long might he stay?
When asked how long he intends to stay, Sjöberg is upbeat about the prospect of continuing beyond the landmark anniversary. He would gladly stay another decade, he jokes, though a full twenty more years would push him into his mid-70s, which he admits could be uncertain. Importantly, he says he has never needed to deliberate about stepping away—continuing to host has felt like a natural choice rather than a hard decision. Looking ahead, he imagines retirement arriving at the right time, with the option to relax and enjoy life without the demands of a daily television schedule. “If the moment comes, I’ll welcome it—retirement would be a new kind of freedom,” he notes, signaling that the show’s baton holders will likely be prepared when the time finally arrives.
For fans, the jubilee episodes promise a nostalgia-filled stroll through twenty years of Swedish television history, anchored by a steady, trusted host who has become inseparable from the program’s identity. Postkodmiljonären’s 20-year milestone is not just a celebration of money won or moments captured on stage; it is a tribute to the people and the moments that have kept a simple odds-and-ends game show relevant and beloved in Swedish living rooms.
