Univision Communications Inc. announced that after an incredible run of more than 53 years, Univision Networks top-rated variety show, Sábado Gigante, hosted and created by Don Francisco (Mario Kreutzberger), will end its current cycle on Sept. 19, 2015 to coincide with the end of the 2014-2015 broadcast television season. Mario Kreutzberger will continue contributing to the Univision Network with new projects and by hosting entertainment specials and campaigns such as TeletónUSA, which is held every year on behalf of disabled children. He will also take part in Univisions ongoing efforts to look for and develop new on-air talent and professionals. Sábado Gigante first launched in 1962 on Chiles Channel 13. It is a program that has beat all broadcasting longevity records. During my 40 years in the industry I have met few people with the same energy, creativity and passion for television and the audience as Mario, and I join in celebrating him and his team at Sábado Gigante for the great success and the milestones achieved in broadcast television, said Randy Falco, president and CEO of Univision Communications Inc. Marios uncanny ability to connect with audiences has transformed how we look at variety shows and allowed Sábado Gigante to endure the test of time, making it not only Univisions longest-running program, but also the longest-running variety series in television history, commented Alberto Ciurana, president of Programming and Content for Univision Communications Inc. Im excited to share with the audience this announcement, with which were starting to bring to a close the 53-year cycle of Sábado Gigante, 30 of which were possible thanks to Univision in the United States. Im so grateful for the opportunity that Channel 13 of the Universidad Católica de Chile gave me as I was starting out, to Univision in the United States and also to the Televisa Network, which allowed us to bring our Sábado Gigante into the homes of millions of families in the United States and the world every week. Special and warm thanks to the outstanding production team, technicians, artists and behind-the-scenes collaborators, because without their efforts and sacrifice, we would have never reached this impressive goal. Over the past five decades, hundreds of professionals have been part of our Sábado Gigante team, which allowed for the first 24 years of accolades in Chile, and the following 30 years of success in the United States and the world, said Kreutzberger.
Mario Kreutzberger: Sábado Gigante will continue with the same dream
Artists and hosts congratulate Don Francisco for half a century on air with Sábado Gigante
Don Francisco celebrates 50 years as host of iconic television show Sábado Gigante
