The Swedes are already on their way to Eurovision 2020! In keeping with the tradition, the Scandinavian nation will be deciding upon their Eurovision entry through their annual selection event Melodifestivalen, which we are looking forward to! But who will lead those hard preparations in the months to come?

Earlier today, the Swedish national broadcaster SVT announed the 4 acclaimed personalities who will be responsible for the production of the shows that will be hosted around Sweden in the first months of 2020. They are Anette Helenius (Head of Melodifestivalen 2020), Christel Tholse Willers (executive producer), Christer Björkman (senior producer) and Karin Gunnarsson (competition producer).

The show’s head, Anette Helenius, is very excited and impatient to return to her role for one more edition of the annual show and says:

Melodifestivalen and the Eurovision Song Contest are two related productions where old tradition shares and borrows working methods and program ideas from each other. With the executive producer Christel Tholse Willers, the senior producer Christer Björkman and Karin Gunnarsson, who is the competition producer, we gather common experiences as a core team.

It creates a solid foundation for Melodifestivalen to test new ideas and renew the program. We look forward to working out next year’s magical television moments in an entertaining show filled with songs, artists and stories for all tastes.

Christel Tholse Willers has been nothing less than quite an important personality for the popular Swedish event. She served as head of Melodifestivalen 2015, which provided Sweden with their 6th Eurovision victory, this achieved by Måns Zelmerlöw, while she also introduced the heart vote on the Melodifestivalen App this year. Now, as an executive producer, she points out:

Melodifestivalen is an irresistible assignment and it will be more fun than ever to work with competent and lovely colleagues. In addition, there are creative forces in the form of a team that is passionate about creating entertainment using the power of the music.

In front of me I see that together we will build a series of programs that offers surprises, excitement and joy. Melodifestivalen is for me the light in the dark and contributes to the gray time in February and March feeling a little more colorful!

Karin Gunarsson, who has been a Melodifestivalen assistant producer since 2017, is now being promoted to a full competition producer. And it feels amazing for her:

Getting into the job as a competition producer for the Melodifestivalen 2020 together with these three qualified colleagues feels fantastic! Together with the rest of our editorial staff, we will manage and refine the format for Melodifestivalen to continue to touch, maintain and engage the viewers!

Last, but not least, there’s no need to introduce Christer Björkman. Having been involved in Melodifestivalen’s production since 2002 and among the producers of the Eurovision Song Contest since 2016, it’s more than sure that he has become one of the most influential figures within the Eurovision world. Christer now said:

What a Dream Team! Anette safe at the helm, Christel back with her strong leadership and high creative ambitions and Karin who gets to test her wings fully this year. It feels magical to be part of this passionate quartet.

The Swedish team will be happy to welcoming us all in their country next year! Who would you like to be the show’s winner? Will they battle it out for a 7th victory?

Sweden at Eurovision 2019

Following his triumphant victory at Melodifestivalen 2019, John Lundvik flied to Tel Aviv and proudly represented Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest 2020, with his pop song Too late for love, penned by John himself, as well as Anderz Wrethov and Andreas “Stone” Johansson.

Sweden participated in the second semi-final of the contest, where they placed 3rd and they received one of the 10 tickets to the Grand Final. A 5th overall place provided the Scandinavian nation . They received 334 points in total.

Sweden is the most successful Eurovision country of the current decade, with a Top 10 placing almost every year since 2011 (apart from 2013), including two victories (2012, 2015).