Sabado Gigante to be canceled after 53 years

Hispanic TV show Sabado Gigante is coming to an end after 53 years.

Sabado Gigante, broadcast by Spanish language network Univision, will have its final show in September.

The three-hour show drew more than 2 million US viewers on Saturday nights, and was also broadcast to more than a dozen countries in Latin America.

Sabado Gigante was created by Mario Kreutzberger, 74, a Chilean who plays the grinning presenter on the show, Don Francisco.

No reason was given for the move but more details will be revealed on April 18, an unnamed spokesman for the network told Associated Press news agency.

The network said Don Francisco will continue to work on special programs and a charity television event that has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for disabled children.

Sabado Gigante blends comedy, talent contests, interviews and human-interest stories and has been family viewing for decades.

Over the years, presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama have appeared as guests and singers Enrique Iglesias and Shakira have performed.

“We join Mario’s fans in wishing him all the best as he enters his next chapter,” said Alberto Ciurana, president of programming and content for Univision.

Alberto Ciurano called Mario Kreutzberger “one of the most beloved and legendary entertainers in the world” and an “innovative and inspirational force in the television industry throughout his career”.