Sábado Gigante, the longest-running weekly variety TV show in Spanish-language television, this Saturday (Sept. 6) is relaunching as a redesigned, “digitally-enhanced” program, featuring technology that will allow users to take part not only on the set but via their mobile devices and the Internet.
Hosted by septuagenarian Chilean TV personality, Mario Kreutzberger (aka Don Francisco), Sábado Gigante airs every Saturday at 8 p.m. (ET/PT) on Univision.
“We are using the very best — and newest — technology out there,” Kreutzberger said during a special appearance last week on Univision’s El Gordo y la Flaca touting the Sept. 6 debut of his revamped show.
New features include digital graphics and components for on-set participation. Automated ID technology will let the host get personalized information about the audience members, as well as online and call-in participants, including their name, country of origin and city where they reside. Interactivity will also let users upload questions online that can be sent immediately to the set in order to be answered by guest experts, such as an immigration lawyer.
Univision is also revamping the Sábado Gigante’s microsite on Univision.com, including video clips from each episode and behind-the-scenes extras. Viewers at home submit ideas on the Usted lo pidió (You Asked for It) section on Univision.com.
Sábado Gigante, Hispanic TV’s undisputed king of product integration, has also been a ratings winner: Citing Nielsen figures, Univision said the weekly show delivers 2.4 million viewers 2 and older and 1.2 million adults 18-49, reaching more than 5 million viewers each week.
