DIRECTV and ‘Gigantes con Don Francisco’: A new chapter in Hispanic television

Some television personalities become familiar faces. A rare few become part of the culture.

For more than five decades, Don Francisco has been one of those figures, bringing Hispanic audiences together through entertainment, conversation and shared experiences. Now, he returns to the screen with Gigantes con Don Francisco, a new Univision series built around intimate conversations, reunions and unforgettable moments.

DIRECTV is partnering with Gigantes con Don Francisco to be part of that next chapter.

Premiering Sunday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT on Univision, Gigantes con Don Francisco brings Don Francisco back to television for a new series celebrating the personalities, stories and cultural moments that connect audiences.

For DIRECTV, it’s a fitting partnership rooted in culture, community and the many ways Hispanic audiences enjoy entertainment together.

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A familiar voice with a remarkable legacy

For more than 50 years, Don Francisco has been a defining presence in Hispanic television, most famously as the host of Sábado Gigante.

The program became the longest-running variety show in television history, reaching audiences across generations and borders. For countless viewers, Don Francisco was a familiar presence in their homes, part of the rhythm of family life and a connection to a shared cultural experience.

That history gives Gigantes con Don Francisco a built-in connection with audiences who have followed Don Francisco for decades.

And while the format is new, many of the ingredients that defined his career remain: conversation, culture, entertainment, emotion and stories that bring people together.

What to expect from ‘Gigantes con Don Francisco’

The new Univision series brings Don Francisco together with major cultural figures for intimate conversations, reunions and memorable experiences. Across eight episodes, viewers can expect the storytelling, entertainment, warmth and spontaneity that have long been associated with the television icon.

Among the talent publicly announced to date are Luis Fonsi, Memo Ochoa and Lucero, representing the worlds of music, sports and entertainment.

The announced lineup offers a glimpse at the range of stories and experiences the series will explore. Through conversations, personal stories and reunions, Gigantes con Don Francisco puts human connection at the center of the show.

A natural connection for DIRECTV

DIRECTV’s partnership with Gigantes con Don Francisco builds on a longstanding commitment to connecting Hispanic audiences with entertainment that reflects their interests and culture.

That commitment can be seen across DIRECTV’s Spanish-language programming, with options that bring together the novelas, news, live sports, movies and family entertainment viewers love in Spanish and English. From Univision and Telemundo to TUDN, ESPN Deportes, FOX Deportes and more, viewers can choose from programming that fits how they watch.

Fútbol is a big part of that experience. DIRECTV offers coverage of Liga MX, the UEFA Champions League, LaLiga and other major competitions, along with Spanish-language sports networks that keep fans connected to the action throughout the year.

DIRECTV also offers Spanish-only and bilingual entertainment options, giving households more flexibility to build a lineup around what they actually watch.

For viewers who want a Spanish-first experience, MiEspañol® brings together 60+ popular channels, including Univision, Telemundo, TUDN, ESPN Deportes and FOX Deportes, along with ViX Premium with ads at no extra cost. That means even more novelas, movies, original series and fútbol in one place.

That breadth of entertainment makes DIRECTV’s partnership with Gigantes con Don Francisco a natural fit: more of the programming, sports and stories that matter to Hispanic audiences.

DIRECTV joins the ‘Gigantes’ experience

DIRECTV’s partnership with Gigantes con Don Francisco will come to life throughout the series, with special integrations and opportunities for fans to get involved.

Throughout the season, DIRECTV will be part of in-show moments and audience experiences, along with opportunities to discover MiEspañol through special giveaways. DIRECTV will also take fans behind the scenes with original social content from live tapings.

It’s another way DIRECTV is bringing viewers closer to the entertainment, personalities and cultural moments they love.

Entertainment that brings people together

There’s a reason Don Francisco remains such a recognizable name after more than five decades on television: his career has always been about connection.

A great conversation can bring people together. A soccer match can turn a living room into a stadium. A novela can become part of the daily routine. And a familiar song or television personality can bring back memories shared with family and friends.

Gigantes con Don Francisco is a new opportunity to create those moments, bringing a familiar face back to television while opening the door to new stories and memories.

Mark your calendar

Gigantes con Don Francisco premieres Sunday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT on Univision. Tune in to see Don Francisco return to television for a new series of conversations, reunions and memorable moments.