On September 13, 1969, Televisa, a Mexican company and the world's largest Spanish-language television network launched the variety show "Siempre en Domingo" ("Always on Sundays") hosted by Raúl Velasco. "Siempre en Domingo" became one of the most popular TV shows in Latin America with about 420 million television viewers around the world (according to Televisa and their partners). "Siempre en Domingo" was a TV show where many artists performed and debuted. At the time, an appearance was a hallmark of success and performers considered an appearance on the program as a guarantee of stardom similar to "The Ed Sullivan Show" in the United States. Velasco encouraged many Mexican singers such as Lucía Méndez, Lucero, Emmanuel, Mijares, Gloria Trevi, Timbiriche, and Lorenzo Antonio, and helped many of these to become full-fledged stars within the county. Moreover, Velasco presented foreign artists such as Julio Iglesias, Raphael, Miguel Bosé, Chayanne and Ricky Martin. Artists that would bring pop music to Latin America, were, in part by "Siempre en Domingo", helped in that effort thanks for their appearances in the program.