Postkodmiljonären marks 20 years on TV4
This weekend, TV4 rolls out the red carpet as Postkodmiljonären celebrates two decades on Swedish television. Two jubilees air on Friday and Saturday, turning the spotlight on the years that have shaped the beloved game show. Host Rickard Sjöberg hints to Expressen that audiences can expect a mix of memorable contestants, sharp exchanges, hearty laughter, and the occasional blooper as the anniversary episodes unfold.
A longstanding staple in Swedish TV
When the first episode aired in 2005, no one could have predicted the longevity of Postkodmiljonären. Sjöberg admits that even he, a seasoned host, never imagined the program would become such a long-running phenomenon. “It’s not common for a show to stay on air this long,” he notes, underscoring how rare it is for a format to endure at the top of viewers’ minds for two decades.
Why Sjöberg has stayed for 20 years
Asked what keeps him anchored to the show after all this time, Sjöberg points to a consistent pattern after each shoot. “Whether I’ve just met a string of intense contestants or I’ve come back from a Postkodlotteriet donation event, I come home exhausted but happy,” he says. He paints the studio and his colleagues as a kind of home fortress where life’s chaos recedes and normalcy returns—an invaluable anchor amid a demanding schedule and the unpredictability of live television.
Moments that define a two-decade run
Among the memorable milestones is Jonas von Essen’s astonishing million-euro victory in 2023, a performance Sjöberg calls impressive and nearly cinematic: a memory-master who answered every question correctly. Yet the show’s charm isn’t only in flawless wins; it also thrives on imperfect, funny moments—the kind of gaps and goofs that become fond, shared memories for viewers and crew alike. Sjöberg emphasizes that those bloopers and unexpected turns are part of what makes Postkodmiljonären so endearing.
The “home fortress” ethos in the studio
The host speaks candidly about the personal side of two decades in the booth. “Twenty years is a substantial portion of my life,” he says, reflecting on life’s ups and downs—parenthood, marriages, and changes outside the studio. Yet he insists the studio, and the people in it, have remained a steady, comforting constant. They’ve created a familiar rhythm where creativity can flourish and nerves can settle before the next big moment in the hot chair.
On records, succession, and the road ahead
When discussing longevity in Swedish television, Sjöberg mentions a few legendary anchors who’ve set the bar: Ingvar Oldsberg on På spåret (22 years), Lennart Hyland’s Hylands hörna (21 years), and Lasse Kronér on Doobidoo (a shared third place). Is the ambition to surpass those records part of his thinking? He smiles and says it would be “fun,” but it isn’t a driving goal. The more important aim is to keep telling engaging stories, keep the audience invested, and maintain the studio’s vibrant energy for as long as possible.
Looking toward the future
As for his own tenure, Sjöberg is refreshingly straightforward: he hasn’t spent much energy pondering when to step away. “No, I haven’t thought about it,” he states with a hint of a grin. He concedes that, eventually, there will be an end, and when that day comes, he expects to enjoy a well-earned retirement. For now, he believes he can continue at least ten more years in the booth while Postkodmiljonören remains a cherished ritual for viewers and a steady, supportive home for the team.
