Swedish 'Gift vid första ögonkastet XL' launches expanded dating format

Swedish broadcaster SVT is debuting an expanded version of its arranged‑marriage reality series, titled Gift vid första ögonkastet XL, on 23 August. The XL format doubles the number of participating couples, placing all eight newly married pairs under one roof in a shared apartment complex, shifting the focus to group dynamics.

The expert panel has been refreshed with psychologist Anna Bennich, therapist Tobias Sahlin and sexologist Leigh Norén, alongside executive producer Hans Abrahamsson. The season grows from ten to sixteen episodes and introduces a new fixed moment where couples publicly decide during vow ceremonies whether to remain married, adding further pressure to the relationships. The change mirrors the Australian version of the show and represents SVT’s broader strategy for the long‑running format, first aired in 2014.