A TV personality who became one of the icons of Spanish-language television in the U.S. during a 30-year run on Univision is back with a new venture on a rival network. Variety reports that Don Francisco, known for his long run on the Saturday night staple “Sabado Gigante,” signed a wide-ranging deal with rival Telemundo.

“Francisco, whose real name is Mario Kreutzberger, moves to Telemundo after ending his variety show last September after 53 uninterrupted years on the air, including 30 years in the U.S. via Univision,” Variety reports. At Telemundo, Kreutzberger, 75, will be a senior news correspondent and will oversee a new production venture.

“Recruiting Kreutzberger is a coup for Telemundo, which remains in second place to its larger rival in the Spanish-language TV race but has been making inroads,” Variety notes.

Mario Kreutzberger — aka “Don Francisco” —
back in his “Sabado Gigante” days