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Univision’s “Sábado Gigante,” Celebrates Twentieth Anniversary in the U.S.
Special Events Throughout May Salute World’s Longest-Running Show and Its Superstar Host
Miami, FL -- MAY 11, 2006 – Univision Communications Inc. (NYSE: UVN), the leading Spanish-language media company in the United States, today announced its plans for the twentieth anniversary celebration of “Sábado Gigante,” the longest running show in the world and America’s #1 entertainment/variety program. To mark this monumental occasion, legendary host Don Francisco – who has been the show’s beloved, charismatic star since its 1962 premier in Chile – will be master of ceremonies for a special broadcast of the show in Miami on May 20th, where a studio audience full of memorable personalities and stars from the show’s history will join a celebration of twenty years of fun, laughter, music, and much more.
“We are thrilled to be celebrating this magnificent milestone,” said Alina Falcón, Executive Vice President and Operating Manager, Univision Television Network. “The contributions that Don Francisco has made to the Hispanic community throughout his twenty-year run as host of Sábado Gigante in the U.S. are enormous and we look forward to many more memorable broadcasts that will continue to entertain and touch the hearts of millions of Hispanics for years to come.”
On May 9th in a series of events in Washington, DC, members of the United States Congress personally recognized Don Francisco for his commitment to Hispanic broadcasting in the U.S.
A number of other exciting events throughout the month of May mark this milestone anniversary:
• A representative from Guinness World Records will be present at the anniversary show on May 20th to proclaim that “Sábado Gigante” is indeed the longest-running show in the world – 44 years on the air, 20 of them in the U.S. – all without interruption.
• Notable celebrities such as Thalia, Luis Fonsi, Don Omar, Shakira, Olga Tañón, Chayanne, Los Tigres del Norte, Montez de Durango and Mariana Seoane will join in the commemorative festivities on various broadcasts throughout May.
• Popular Univision Radio personalities – “Piolín Sotelo” from Los Angeles; “José Antonio” from Miami; “DJ Kazzanova” from New York; “El Gatillero” from Phoenix; and “Raúl Brindis” from Houston will test their singing abilities in the popular “El Chacal de la Trompeta” segment to win a donation for their hometown charity.
• Retrospective segments “20 Años de Humor” and “20 Segundos de Historia” will air on May 13th and May 20th highlighting the funniest and most memorable moments from the past 20-years of “Sábado Gigante.”
• Couples who were engaged or married on-air as well as winning participants and the original cast members of the well-known segment “Clan Infantil” will make guest appearances throughout the month.
• “Sábado Gigante” will honor the memory of such celebrated artists as Selena, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente and Mariana Levy.
Many Univision Network programs will also commemorate the anniversary including “El Gordo y La Flaca,” “Despierta América,” “Noticiero Univision,” “Última Hora,” “Escándalo TV,” “Cristina,” and “República Deportiva.” In fact, “Primer Impacto” will air an in-depth retrospective report including footage of Don Francisco in his native Chile.
“Sábado Gigante,” featuring legendary host Don Francisco, remains the longest-running variety show in television history, with a new show every week – all without reruns. A Saturday night tradition in most Hispanic homes throughout America, “Sábado Gigante” is consistently one of the highest rated weekend shows on television.
Born Mario Kreutzberger, Don Francisco has received numerous awards from public and private institutions in the United States and Latin America. In 2001, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences also recognized his contributions and in 2005 honored him with a special Emmy Award for leadership in Spanish-language television.
Kreutzberger is also a passionate philanthropist having raised $240 million over the past 28 years for disabled children in his native Chile. He was named a United Nations Ambassador for UNICEF for his many contributions. He’s also spokesperson for the Pan American Health Organization.
Univision Communications Inc. is the premier Spanish-language media company in the United States. Its operations include Univision Network, the most-watched Spanish-language broadcast television network in the U.S. reaching 98% of U.S. Hispanic Households; TeleFutura Network, a general-interest Spanish-language broadcast television network, which was launched in 2002 and now reaches 86% of U.S. Hispanic Households; Galavisión, the country’s leading Spanish-language cable network; Univision Television Group, which owns and operates 62 television stations in major U.S. Hispanic markets and Puerto Rico; Univision Radio, the leading Spanish-language radio group which owns and/or operates 69 radio stations in 16 of the top 25 U.S. Hispanic markets and 4 stations in Puerto Rico; Univision Music Group, which includes Univision Records, Fonovisa Records, La Calle Records and a 50% interest in Mexico-based Disa Records labels as well as Fonomusic and America Musical Publishing companies; and Univision Online, the premier Spanish-language Internet destination in the U.S. located at www.univision.com. Univision Communications also has a 50% interest in TuTv, a joint venture formed to broadcast Televisa’s pay television channels in the U.S., and a non-voting 14.9% interest in Entravision Communications Corporation, a public Spanish-language media company. Univision Communications is headquartered in Los Angeles with television network operations in Miami and television and radio stations and sales offices in major cities throughout the United States.
For more information, please visit www.univision.net
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