Swedish reality TV show expands format

Swedish public broadcaster SVT announced an expanded version of its arranged‑marriage reality series, retitled **Gift vid första ögonkastet XL**, set to premiere on 23 August. The XL edition doubles the number of newly married couples, placing all eight pairs in a single apartment complex to emphasize group dynamics. The season grows from ten to sixteen episodes and adds a fixed vow‑ceremony moment where couples publicly decide whether to stay married.

The expert panel was refreshed, adding psychologist Anna Bennich, therapist Tobias Sahlin and sexologist Leigh Norén alongside executive producer Hans Abrahamsson. The format mirrors an Australian version and reflects SVT’s broader strategy for the long‑running series, first aired in 2014.

A follow‑up report on the launch highlighted the shared‑home setting and introduced participants, including pan‑sexual influencer Sara Songbird, who described herself as a “retired influencer” now working at a preschool. The show aims to give viewers insight into early marriage under unusual, co‑habiting circumstances, with the added potential for interaction and conflict among multiple couples.