27/06/2026 04:36 - Entretenimiento
An international controversy erupted at Luzu TV, one of Argentina's most popular streaming channels, sending shockwaves through the country's television industry. What began as a serious journalistic error on June 18, 2026—when actress Florencia Peña announced live the supposed death of Jorge Messi, father of soccer legend Lionel Messi—transformed into an institutional crisis that now has its first public response.
From the United States, where he is covering the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Marley—Peña's co-host and one of her closest friends—broke his silence in an exclusive phone interview for PrimiciasYa, a program hosted by Marina Calabró and Luis Ventura on América TV, one of Argentina's major broadcast networks.
Marley (real name: Alejandro Wiebe) is one of Argentina's most beloved television hosts. Known for his charismatic personality and successful shows like El Show del Verano (The Summer Show), he has been a household name in Argentine entertainment for over two decades. His friendship with Florencia Peña spans many years, making his response to this crisis particularly significant.
Marley initially attempted to distance himself from the controversy and minimize the conflict:
"I'm very happy, thrilled with everything happening here with the National Team. We're experiencing this as a family, with my children."
However, pressed by journalists, he defended the television format:
"The truth is everything in life has a solution. They make too much fuss on TV. I have the best relationship ever with Florencia, and with Nico too. There's a lot of television exaggeration on this topic."
During the interview, the América TV reporter directly asked whose side he was on: did he support his friend Peña's defense, or did he justify the business decisions made by Nico Occhiato, owner of Luzu TV?
Marley's response was blunt and raised eyebrows:
"I am equidistant."
Marina Calabró, a respected Argentine entertainment journalist, analyzed this statement after the interview:
"A phrase that makes it completely clear that things between Marley and Peña didn't end well at all. You don't let go of a lifelong friend's hand with such a technical word. That's not how you treat a friend of decades."
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 18, 2026 | Florencia Peña announces live on El Show del Verano that Jorge Messi had passed away |
| June 18, 2026 | Information is confirmed to be completely false |
| June 18, 2026 | Nico Occhiato fires the entire production team and accepts Peña's resignation |
| June 18, 2026 | Peña issues public apologies to Celia Cuccittini (Jorge Messi's wife) |
| June 26, 2026 | Marley speaks from the US, declaring himself "equidistant" |
The earthquake at Luzu TV—a pioneering streaming channel in Argentina founded by Nico Occhiato—was triggered when Florencia Peña, a beloved actress and TV host with a 30-year career, confidently announced live that Jorge Messi, father of Argentina's greatest soccer idol, had died.
When it was confirmed that the information was completely false, Nico Occhiato executed the immediate dismissal of the entire production team and accepted the actress's resignation. Occhiato, a young entrepreneur who transformed his YouTube fame into a legitimate media company, took decisive action to protect the channel's credibility.
After the incident, Peña retreated to her family circle, accusing the channel owner of a profound "lack of empathy". The conflict also allegedly involves a multi-million peso claim by the actress against Occhiato, according to reports circulating in Argentine media.
Luzu TV represents a new generation of Argentine media. Founded by Nico Occhiato, a content creator who rose to fame on YouTube, it evolved from digital platforms to become a legitimate streaming channel. El Show del Verano was its flagship summer program, co-hosted by Marley and Florencia Peña. The channel represents the convergence of traditional television personalities and new media influencers in Argentina's evolving entertainment landscape.
Despite the controversy, there's a silver lining. Marley is currently in the United States covering the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Argentina's National Team is competing. According to earlier reports, the channel's coverage was always planned through this tournament phase.
The host confirmed that without Flor Peña, there will be no Show del Verano—a decision that speaks to both his professional integrity and personal loyalty. While the friendship may be strained, Marley's commitment to his principles remains steadfast.
Argentina continues to shine on the world stage, with its National Team pursuing glory in North America and its entertainment industry navigating challenges with transparency and accountability.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
