Even though the FIFA World Cup 2026 is more than a year away, Telemundo is getting a head start with the debut of a new late-night talk sports show that has an emphasis on soccer.
On March 10, Telemundo premiered El Pelotazo, which airs live seven days a week and is hosted by Verónica Rodríguez, Pablo Mariño, and Diego Arrioja, offering sports news and analysis with special guests in an unconventional format to reach Hispanic sports fans.
Telemundo’s evp of sports, Joaquin Duro, noted that the show stands apart from other late-night talk sports shows because of its shorter, fast-paced segments and quick camera angles, contributing to its multiplatform approach.
This isn’t a traditional half-hour show, according to Duro. Instead, the series extends beyond linear TV, amplifying content, highlights, and select clips across social in real-time. The strategy integrates social media and encourages fan participation.
“The show is more dynamic starting with the talent,” Duro told ADWEEK. “The talent is fresh and bold. They have a big presence on social media. We do a deep dive very fast into the topics, and we move on within maybe a minute or two, which is not normal for a TV show.”
The show airs at midnight to attract new audiences who are typically up at that hour, but it’s also looking to become a program that everyone wants to talk about the following day.
“The idea of the show is to give us the possibility to become snackable content the next day—the next few days—and extend some of the segments,” Duro said.
In fact, the word “pelotazo” translates to “the powerful strike of a ball.” In the same vein, Telemundo expects the show to deliver high-energy sports coverage combined with insightful analysis and segments that fans can engage with in new, unexpected ways.
Some of the segments include “Minuto De Fama,” which shows celebrity guests sharing their passion for sports and discussing their favorite teams and moments. Meanwhile, “¡Se Busca!” looks at the lives of legendary sports figures, and “Mano a Mano” features exclusive, never-before-heard stories from athletes around the world.
Rodríguez, one of the hosts of El Pelotazo, said being involved with the show excited her because she’s never been a part of anything like this.
“We know how much Hispanic audiences are passionate for sports, so to be able to bring that community together—and the link be the sports—I love it,” Rodríguez said. “The show is every night, and it’s at midnight, so we know it’s an hour that you want to have fun and you want to get entertained.”
