Telemundo Slugs It Out With Univision

A new prime-time battleground between the two largest Hispanic broadcast networks will take place Saturdays this fall when Telemundo challenges Univision’s 20-year-old variety show institution Sábado Gigante with its own variety entry, El Gran Show (The Great Show).

While Univision execs and Sábado Gigante’s creator and host Mario Kreutzberger (aka Don Francisco) were touting the show’s long, successful history at the network’s upfront presentation last week, Telemundo execs labeled it “tired” and ready for an alternative.

Ray Rodriguez, president and COO of Univision Communications, bristled at any negative characterization of Sábado Gigante.