Gigantes con Don Francisco is bringing a familiar face back to Spanish-language television, giving American audiences another opportunity to watch legendary presenter Mario Kreutzberger connect with some of the biggest personalities in Latin entertainment. Known worldwide as Don Francisco, the Chilean-born television host has built a remarkable career through celebrity interviews, music, comedy, audience participation, and conversations that reach beyond the stage.
The new entertainment series premiered on Univision on October 11, 2026. It introduces a format centered on prominent guests, personal experiences, memorable career moments, musical entertainment, and emotional reunions. The program also reaches streaming audiences through ViX, making it accessible to viewers who prefer watching television on demand.
Its launch has generated interest among longtime followers of Don Francisco and younger viewers who recognize the featured celebrities. The opening lineup has included Lucero, Camilo, Guillermo Ochoa, Luis Fonsi, and Daddy Yankee. These appearances demonstrate the program’s broad interest in Latin music, sports, and popular culture.
The return is especially meaningful because Don Francisco remains closely associated with one of the most influential variety programs in Spanish-language television history. His new project brings elements of that entertainment tradition into a contemporary format designed around individual stories.
A New Chapter in Don Francisco’s Television Career
Mario Kreutzberger is one of the most recognizable figures in Hispanic television. His professional identity as Don Francisco became familiar to millions of viewers through decades of broadcasting.
Born in Chile, he developed a television style that combined humor, interviews, music, contests, and spontaneous interaction with audiences. His approach helped establish a strong connection with Spanish-speaking families across different countries.
His success was not based exclusively on celebrity appearances. Don Francisco also gave ordinary people opportunities to share personal stories, participate in television segments, and become part of memorable broadcasts.
That ability to move between entertainment and human-interest storytelling became a defining characteristic of his career.
The launch of the new series demonstrates that his television identity continues to have value in a changing entertainment industry. Modern audiences have access to countless interviews, podcasts, and short-form videos. However, a professionally produced television conversation with a familiar host offers a different experience.
The new program places the guest at the center while allowing Don Francisco to use his interviewing experience to explore the stories behind public success.
What Makes the New Program Different?
The series combines several entertainment elements instead of following a conventional interview-only structure.
Each episode features a prominent personality whose professional journey and personal experiences provide the foundation for the conversation.
The production also uses music, archival footage, surprises, reunions, and participation from the studio audience. These features create a lively atmosphere while giving the interviews room to develop naturally.
Some of the program’s main elements include:
- In-depth conversations with established Latin celebrities.
- Musical performances and entertainment segments.
- Archival footage highlighting important career moments.
- Personal stories involving family, relationships, and professional challenges.
- Special reunions with friends, relatives, or people connected to the guest.
- Audience participation and interactive studio activities.
- Games offering cash prizes and opportunities to win a car.
This combination allows the production to move between serious discussions and lighter entertainment.
A guest might discuss the difficulties involved in building a career before participating in a surprise reunion or sharing a humorous memory. Such changes in tone help make the program suitable for a broad audience.
The Premiere Established the Series’ Direction
The first episode aired on October 11, 2026, introducing the show’s approach through an appearance by Mexican entertainer Lucero.
Lucero has enjoyed a long career in music and acting. Her experience across different areas of entertainment made her a suitable opening guest for a series focused on professional achievements and personal memories.
The premiere introduced viewers to the program’s central idea: prominent figures can discuss their lives in ways that go beyond the public image audiences normally see.
Her appearance also helped establish the balance between nostalgia and contemporary entertainment. Longtime viewers could reconnect with Don Francisco, while Lucero’s established fan base provided another reason to watch.
A premiere is particularly important for a television series because it introduces the presentation style, pacing, and atmosphere that viewers can expect in subsequent episodes.
In this case, the combination of conversation, entertainment, and personal storytelling established the identity of the production.
Camilo Brings a Contemporary Music Perspective
Colombian singer Camilo appeared in the October 18 episode.
His participation introduced a different generation of Latin music to the program. Camilo has developed an international audience through his recordings, performances, and distinctive musical identity.
The conversation included aspects of his professional journey and his experiences as a father.
Family is an important theme in the show’s approach to celebrity interviews. Rather than focusing exclusively on awards, commercial success, or popular songs, the production explores how personal experiences influence an individual’s decisions and ambitions.
For a recording artist, the journey toward success often involves creative uncertainty, professional sacrifices, and changes in personal relationships.
Discussing these experiences can help audiences understand the person behind the music.
Camilo’s appearance also demonstrates why the series can attract younger viewers who may not have watched Don Francisco’s television programs during their original broadcasts.
Memo Ochoa Adds a Sports Dimension
The participation of Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa brought professional sports into the series.
Known to many fans as Memo Ochoa, he has represented Mexico in international football and become a familiar name among soccer supporters.
His appearance explored his experiences in professional football and the personal side of a career spent competing at a high level.
Sports personalities often have public identities built around their performances. Supporters remember major matches, important saves, championships, and international competitions.
However, their lives also involve preparation, pressure, family responsibilities, career decisions, and uncertainty about what comes next.
The program’s interview format provides space to explore those subjects.
Ochoa’s participation also helps broaden the show’s appeal beyond music and entertainment fans. Soccer remains an important part of Hispanic sports culture in the United States, making a prominent Mexican goalkeeper a recognizable guest for many households.
Luis Fonsi Shares Career and Personal Experiences
Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi also appeared during the opening run.
His international music career has made him a familiar figure among Latin pop audiences. His participation gave the program another opportunity to examine the experiences behind a successful recording career.
The episode explored his professional development, family influences, and important personal experiences.
One notable element involved a reunion with a devoted fan. Such moments fit the production’s emphasis on the relationship between artists and the people who support them.
For performers, audience support can become a defining part of a career. Fans attend concerts, follow new releases, share music, and remain connected to artists through different stages of their lives.
A reunion can demonstrate that relationship in a more personal way than a conventional promotional interview.
Fonsi’s appearance also reinforced the show’s focus on established Latin music figures whose work reaches audiences across different generations.
Daddy Yankee Becomes a Major November Highlight
Puerto Rican reggaeton star Daddy Yankee was featured in the November 8 episode.
His participation attracted attention because of his influence on Latin urban music and his connection with Don Francisco’s television history.
Daddy Yankee played a major role in bringing reggaeton to a much larger international audience. His career helped establish Spanish-language urban music as a powerful part of the global recording industry.
His conversation with Don Francisco explored important experiences from his professional journey and aspects of his life beyond music.
The interview also revisited his appearances on Sábado Gigante, creating a connection between the singer’s career and the television host’s long-standing entertainment legacy.
The timing gave the appearance additional relevance. Daddy Yankee was recognized as the 2026 Latin GRAMMY Person of the Year, bringing further attention to his achievements and contributions to Latin music.
The episode aired on Sunday, November 8, at 7 p.m. Eastern and 6 p.m. Central. Its availability on ViX followed on November 9.
For viewers interested in the show’s developing guest lineup, this appearance represents one of the most notable installments from its initial broadcast period.
Nitzia Chama’s Role in the New Series
The program features Nitzia Chama as co-host, working alongside Don Francisco throughout its interviews and entertainment segments. Chama brings experience as an actress, journalist, and television personality, including her association with the Univision morning program Despierta América.
Her presence adds another voice to conversations that can move between professional achievements, family experiences, and lighter entertainment. She also helps connect the featured personalities with the studio audience.
The partnership combines Don Francisco’s long broadcasting career with a presentation suited to today’s television environment. Rather than making the series depend on nostalgia alone, the hosts can introduce guests to viewers who may be discovering them through different entertainment platforms.
Chama’s participation is also important to the show’s pacing. A variety program needs to balance interviews with other segments while keeping viewers engaged throughout the broadcast.
The Connection With Sábado Gigante
Any discussion of Don Francisco’s television career inevitably leads to Sábado Gigante, the variety show that established his international reputation.
The program began in Chile in 1962 and later expanded to the United States, where it became a major attraction for Spanish-speaking viewers. Its final episode aired on September 19, 2015, ending a run that lasted more than five decades.
During that period, the show became known for its wide range of entertainment. Celebrity interviews appeared alongside comedy sketches, musical performances, contests, audience participation, and human-interest stories.
Its longevity helped turn Don Francisco into a familiar television personality for generations of Hispanic viewers.
The new series revisits that legacy through archival material and conversations with people connected to his television history. Its studio is also the same stage where Sábado Gigante was recorded.
That connection gives the production a meaningful setting. Returning to a familiar studio allows the host and guests to reflect on experiences that shaped their careers while offering viewers a sense of continuity.
However, the new program has a more concentrated structure. Instead of reproducing the full range of the former variety show, it builds each installment around a featured guest.
Why the Guest Lineup Matters
The selection of guests is central to the series’ identity. Music, acting, and sports attract different audiences, so a varied lineup can broaden the show’s reach.
Lucero represents Mexican entertainment across music and acting. Camilo brings a contemporary Colombian pop perspective, while Luis Fonsi represents Puerto Rican music with international reach. Memo Ochoa adds a connection to professional soccer, and Daddy Yankee brings the history of reggaeton into the conversation.
These figures also offer different types of stories. An interview with a recording artist can explore creativity and the pressures of the music business. A conversation with an athlete may focus on competition, discipline, and career transitions.
Personal relationships provide another common theme. Family members, friends, and professional colleagues can offer insight into the experiences that shaped a guest’s life.
This approach helps distinguish the series from programs that focus mainly on current projects or promotional announcements. It gives guests an opportunity to discuss the experiences behind their public achievements.
For audiences, that personal dimension can make familiar celebrities feel more relatable.
How the Show Uses Nostalgia Without Relying on It Alone
Nostalgia is an important part of the production, but it is not the only reason viewers may choose to watch.
For longtime fans, Don Francisco’s return can recall family viewing traditions and memorable moments from Sábado Gigante. Archival clips and reunions help reconnect the present with those memories.
Younger viewers, however, may have a different entry point. They may recognize a singer from a streaming playlist or follow a footballer’s career without having watched the host’s classic program.
The guest-centered format allows these audiences to engage with the show even if they have little personal history with Don Francisco.
This balance is particularly relevant for Spanish-language entertainment in the United States, where audiences include people with different national backgrounds, ages, and viewing habits.
The program’s combination of contemporary personalities and television history gives it opportunities to reach across those differences.
What the Early Ratings Reveal
The series has received encouraging initial audience figures. TelevisaUnivision reported that the opening broadcasts reached 4.9 million total viewers.
The company also reported that the program attracted 36% more adults ages 18–34 to Univision’s Sunday 7 p.m. time slot than the comparable dates in 2025.
The network also reported that Univision ranked first among Spanish-language networks during that Sunday hour, with double-digit audience advantages over Telemundo among key demographic groups.
These figures provide an early indication of audience interest. They suggest that the program’s appeal is not limited to people who remember the host from decades of television.
Still, the reported numbers cover the opening broadcast period. They should not be treated as a guarantee of future ratings or proof that every episode will achieve the same results.
A show’s longer-term performance depends on several factors, including guest selection, audience retention, competing programs, and changes in viewing habits.
Future ratings will provide a clearer picture of whether the initial attention can translate into sustained performance.
Where American Viewers Can Watch
Viewers in the United States can watch the series on Univision, with full episodes becoming available through ViX the following day.
The announced schedule places the program on Sundays at 7 p.m. Eastern and 6 p.m. Central. Local listings can help viewers confirm the broadcast time in their area.
ViX offers an alternative for audiences who cannot watch the television broadcast at its scheduled time. Streaming access may depend on the viewer’s subscription plan and service availability.
The network’s digital platforms also provide clips and highlights, allowing viewers to revisit selected interviews and entertainment moments.
Anyone planning to watch a particular episode should check the latest schedule rather than assume that the regular time will remain unchanged for every broadcast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gigantes con Don Francisco?
It is a Spanish-language entertainment series hosted by Don Francisco, with Nitzia Chama serving as co-host. The program features interviews with prominent Latin personalities, music, archival footage, reunions, surprises, and audience participation.
When did the show premiere?
The series premiered on October 11, 2026, on Univision. Its announced regular broadcast time is Sunday at 7 p.m. Eastern and 6 p.m. Central.
Who is Don Francisco?
Don Francisco is the professional name of Mario Kreutzberger, a Chilean-born television presenter best known for hosting Sábado Gigante. His career spans decades of Spanish-language television and entertainment.
Who appeared on the opening episodes?
The featured guests during the opening run included Lucero, Camilo, Memo Ochoa, Luis Fonsi, and Daddy Yankee. Each brought a different perspective from music, acting, or professional sports.
Can viewers stream the episodes?
Yes. Full episodes are scheduled to become available on ViX the day after their Univision broadcasts. Access may depend on the viewer’s plan and service availability.
Is the new series the same as Sábado Gigante?
No. The programs share a host, studio history, and elements of variety television, but the new series focuses more closely on individual guests and their personal stories.
Why is Daddy Yankee’s appearance significant?
The episode revisited his professional journey and his previous appearances on Sábado Gigante. His recognition as the 2026 Latin GRAMMY Person of the Year also brought additional attention to his career.
Will the program continue with more celebrity guests?
The series is designed around featured guests, and its schedule includes additional broadcasts. Specific future guests should be considered confirmed only when officially announced.
The Outlook for Don Francisco’s Return
The series gives Don Francisco a new opportunity to connect with audiences through the kind of personal conversations and entertainment that shaped his television career. Its featured guests offer a broad view of Latin popular culture, while its use of archival footage preserves a connection to the host’s longstanding place in Hispanic media.
The opening audience figures are encouraging, and the combination of Univision broadcasts and ViX streaming gives viewers multiple ways to follow the program. Its continued appeal will depend on the strength of future interviews and its ability to attract both longtime fans and new audiences.
For American viewers interested in Latin entertainment, the series offers a meeting point between celebrated artists, personal storytelling, and a familiar television tradition.
Share your thoughts about Don Francisco’s return and the guests you’d like to see featured in future episodes, and follow confirmed updates as the series continues.