Marcelo Hugo Tinelli (born April 1, 1960, in San Carlos de Bolívar) is an Argentine television host, media producer, and entrepreneur, best known as the host of the television show ShowMatch, broadcast on El Trece in Argentina. He is one of the most iconic figures in Argentine television.
One of the most famous supporters of the San Lorenzo de Almagro Football Club, Tinelli became president of the club in 2019 after winning the elections with over 80% of the vote. Since March 2020, Tinelli has also served as president of the Superliga Argentina, the football association that governs and organizes the Primera División championships.
Tinelli was working at Radio Rivadavia as a football sports commentator before Juan Alberto Badía brought him to television on Badía y Compañía. In 1990, after several years as a sports commentator, he created Videomatch, a light entertainment program featuring sports highlights, pranks, hidden cameras, and bloopers.
Later, he hosted the musical variety show Ritmo de la Noche, which included live performances by international acts such as Bon Jovi, Poison, Duran Duran, and former Queen member Brian May. Around 1996, the show shifted from lighter content to include musical performances and guest appearances. In 1999, Tinelli received the Golden Martín Fierro Award for Videomatch. The program is still on air under the name ShowMatch.
He created the television production company Ideas del Sur, which has produced many TV programs, including Okupas, Buenos Vecinos, Tumberos, Fugitivos, and Los Roldán. He also acquired the radio station Radio Uno FM and the Spanish Second Division football club CD Badajoz.
In 2002, he helped found the volleyball team Club Ciudad de Bolívar, based in his hometown of San Carlos de Bolívar. The team became one of the most successful in the Argentine league.