Mario Kreutzberger, universally known as Don Francisco, has made his official return to Univision with Gigantes con Don Francisco. The eight-episode Sunday evening program marks another significant chapter in the host’s television career, which spans more than six decades. The series premiered on October 11, 2026, bringing the 85-year-old broadcaster back to the exact Miami studio where he recorded Sábado Gigante, the legendary variety show that concluded on September 19, 2015, after an uninterrupted 53-year run.
TelevisaUnivision announced that the limited series airs every Sunday at 7 p.m. Eastern / 6 p.m. Central on Univision, with full episodes becoming available on the streaming platform ViX the day following their television broadcast. The production also utilizes Univision’s digital and social media platforms to roll out highlights, behind-the-scenes features, and additional content.
A Historic Homecoming and Refreshed Format
For Don Francisco, returning to the network carried deep personal and professional resonance. During promotional announcements, the veteran host reflected on his decades-long relationship with Spanish-language audiences across the United States and Latin America.
“Returning to Univision brings a sense of emotion and nostalgia, but above all, it is an opportunity to reconnect with the audience that accompanied us for so many years and with many of the great artists who were part of our history,” said Don Francisco. “It will be a reunion between what we experienced together and who we are today. I am very happy to reconnect with you.”
Unlike the traditional three-hour variety marathon of Sábado Gigante, Gigantes con Don Francisco features a streamlined, interview-focused format. Each episode centers on a prominent figure in Latin culture, delivering in-depth conversations exploring personal journeys, defining career moments, and cultural impacts. The production incorporates a live musical band, archival footage, surprise reunions with family members, friends, and colleagues, and classic interactive elements such as studio games and cash prizes.
Co-Host and Confirmed Guest Lineup
Don Francisco is joined on screen by co-host Nitzia Chama, an actress, journalist, and personality from Univision’s morning program Despierta América. The initial run of special episodes features high-profile guests from the Hispanic entertainment and sports worlds, including:
- Mexican singer and actress Lucero
- Singer Luis Fonsi
- Soccer goalkeeper Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa
The series is designed to blend nostalgic elements from the host’s historic career with contemporary television production values, aiming to capture live-event energy while engaging modern streaming and on-demand viewers.
Legacy of Sábado Gigante
The return of Don Francisco to Univision highlights the enduring cultural footprint of Sábado Gigante. Originally launched in Chile in 1962, the program arrived on Univision in 1986 and quickly established itself as a foundational element of Hispanic television in the United States. Its unique combination of comedy, human-interest stories, live musical acts, and audience participation earned it a Guinness World Records title as the longest-running variety television program hosted by the same presenter.
With Gigantes con Don Francisco, the network aims to leverage that rich broadcasting history while offering a reflective, intimate space for today’s most influential Latin icons.
