When Telemundo honored longtime “Sábado Gigante” host Mario Kreutzberger for his lifelong contributions to Spanish-language television in its awards show “Premios Tu Mundo,” network reps refused to comment on whether that signaled he’d eventually join the NBCUniversal family.
Almost six months after Univision aired his final popular Saturday night show, “Don Francisco” signed a multiyear deal with Telemundo to create a joint production company that will produce “original content and formats for Hispanics in the United States and audiences around the world, across multiple platforms.”
Until that project gets off the ground, Telemundo has named “Don Francisco” special senior news correspondent, effective immediately.
Kreutzberger, who has interviewed many world leaders, including Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama during his more than 53-year long career, will be tasked with conducting high-profile interviews with politicians, celebrities and other newsmakers.
Kreutzberger’s move to Telemundo reunites him with César Conde, who he previously worked with at Univision. Conde, currently Chairman of NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises is a former President of rival Univision.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Kreutzberger will talk about his decision to join Telemundo and his plans with the network in an interview with María Celeste Arrarás on today’s Al Rojo Vivo” at 4 pm ET.