'Sábado Gigante' Ends: Don Francisco Show To Go Off Air After 53 Years

Univision’s longest-running variety show “Sábado Gigante” will go off the air on September 19, 2015, announced Univision Communications Inc.

Don Francisco will still be collaborating with Univision in new projects, as well as hosting especial events transmitted by the Network. He will be a part of “TeletónUSA,” which airs every year to benefit children with different capacities. He will also join forces with Univision to find new projects and talents.

Since the show’s very beginning in 1962, Mario Kreutzberger (Don Francisco), won the heart of the public. Besides offering entertainment for households that tuned in every Saturday, he developed programs that would help the growth of the families watching. As the show’s creator and host, Don Francisco beat TV airing records by being one of the longest running shows on TV.

Thanks to Don Francisco’s work, and his amazing team who have adapted to the changes throughout the years, “Sábado Gigante” is still one of the most watched TV shows on Saturday nights. There’s no doubt that the dynamics of the show, a mix of humor, contests, human interest stories, celebrity interviews, and internationally acclaimed performers, made it one of the most legendary shows in TV history.

“It is with great emotion that I share with the public the ending of this cycle called “Sábado Gigante.”For 53 years, 30 which were possible thanks to Univision in the U.S. and that without a doubt, have been fundamental for the development of my career, my personal life, and my family. I am profoundly thankful for the opportunity that I was given, my beginnings in Canal 13 de la Universidad Católica de Chile, Univision, and Televisa which allowed us to be part of millions of homes in Latin America with “Sábado Gigante.”I have no words to thank all our viewers for their support, their loyalty, and the enthusiasm that they have given us all these years, which allowed the show to become a huge success. I would like to also thank our production team, artists and other collaborators for their effort and sacrifice throughout the years. Without them, we wouldn’t have been able to do what we did. We have had hundreds of professionals who made 24 years in Chile possible, and the next 30 years in the U.S. and the world. Since the very beginning, we cared to ask: “Qué dice el público?” (What does the audience say?) And that is precisely what we have worked on all these years with the dedication, humbly, and respect that they deserve.” – Words shared by Don Francisco in the press communicate that was released today by Univision.