Sweden: Björn Gustafsson will not lead Melodifestivalen!

In one of our previous articles two months ago, we wrote about Carina Berg and Björn Gustafsson who would reportedly lead the shows of Melodifestivalen this year, according to Aftonbladet.

A while ago, Aftonbladet’s Torbjörn Ek revealed that tomorrow, on the SVT press conference where the Melodifestivalen 2024 leads will be presented, only Carina Berg will be presented as the host of Melodifestivalen 2024. She won’t have Björn Gustafsson with her.

Host announcement delayed

It’s been 19 years since SVT took this long to confirm the hosts of the competition. With the exception of the pandemic year 2021 when it happened on January 5, the presenters have in the vast majority of cases been presented in November. Five years even as early as September. Today Aftonbladet reveals that the popular comedian will participate in Melodifestivalen throughout the tour, but as a sidekick, not as a host.

A sidekick has less responsibility

Being a sidekick to the host of the Melodifestivalen means a little less responsibility. And possibly also a little less fuss. Björn Gustafsson also does not have to participate in the otherwise obligatory press conferences or tour activities such as parties for six weeks. Also as a sidekick, the rules are also somewhat more relaxed when it comes to advertising collaborations. Something that can be quite crucial for a person who in recent years has lent his face and his sense of humor in countless commercials, which are still frequently circulating on advertising-funded TV channels. According to what Aftonbladet has learned, SVT and Björn Gustafsson have had a number of discussions during the autumn.

The fact that this year’s Melodifestivalen was initially intended to be led by two hosts, Carina and Björn, is confirmed by several people with good insight. But Björn’s role has been toned down. He doesn’t want to be a host. He doesn’t want to take up so much space. So it has been agreed to reduce his role compared to what was said at the beginning. So, those who have been looking forward to the super duo Carina and Björn in Melodifestivalen should not worry cause according to an Aftonbladet‘s usually very reliable informant Björn and Carina really want to work together. Björn will be there and he will be kind, cozy and very funny, he just won’t be the host.

Who is Carina Berg?

Carina Berg, has since 2012 been associated with Discovery and Kanal 5 and has made a variety of series, by herself or with partner Christine Meltzer, such as “Berg & Meltzer in America“, “A Job for Berg“, “Berg & Meltzer at the Oscars“, “The World’s Toughest Job with Carina Berg” and “Berg’s Dream House“.

In August, however, it became known that Berg had left his exclusive contract with Kanal 5 to freelance and host the Childhood Cancer Gala on Viaplay and TV3. And now she will go to SVT to lead Melodifestivalen 2024 and will collaborate with Björn Gustafsson on stage throughout the tour.

Melodifestivalen 2024 is scheduled to take place between February 3rd to March 9th.

The schedule for the six shows of the Melodifestivalen 2024 tour

Heat 1: Saturday 3 February 2024, Malmö Arena, Malmö
Heat 2: Saturday 10 February 2024, Scandinavium, Göteborg
Heat 3: Saturday 17 February 2024, Vida Arena, Växjö
Heat 4: Saturday 24 February 2024, Stiga Sports Arena, Eskilstuna
Heat 5: Saturday 2 March 2024, Löfbergs Arena, Karlstad
Final: Saturday 9 March 2024, Friends Arena, Stockholm – Solna

Τhe winner of Melodifestivalen 2023 and hence the Swedish representative at Eurovision 2023 was Loreen with her song “Tattoo“. Loreen went to become the first female artist in history to win the Eurovision Song Contest twice.

Source: Aftonbladet