 | Company Profile | Home Shopping NetworkHome Shopping Network
Type cable television network, Shopping channel, satellite television network,
broadcast television network
Country United States
Availability National, with international versions
Founder Lowell Paxson and Roy Speer
Owner IAC/InterActiveCorp
Launch date 1982
Past names Home Shopping Club
Website http://www.hsn.com
The Home Shopping Network (HSN) is a mostly 24-hour shopping network that is seen
on cable, satellite, and some terrestrial channels in the United States.
History
Launched by Lowell 'Bud' Paxson and Roy Speer in 1982 as the Home Shopping Club, a local cable channel seen on Vision Cable and Group W Cable in Pinellas County,Florida, and expanded into the first national shopping network three years later on July 1, 1985, HSN (its initials forming its otherwise alternate name) pioneered
the concept of the viewer shopping for items in the comfort of their own home. HSN has its roots from a radio station managed by Paxson which in 1977, due to an advertiser's liquidity problem; was paid in can openers. Left with having to raise the funds, on-air personality Bob Circosta went on the radio and sold the can openers for $9.95 each. Lo and behold, the can openers sold out and an industry was born. It is now owned by IAC/InterActiveCorp with broadcasts in Europe, Asia, and India. There are many other shopping channels on cable today, including HSN's sister network, America's Store. HSN's main competitors are ShopNBC and QVC.
HSN, one of the leading shopping channels on television, has built its reputation
with daily specials, theme blocks, and personalities. HSN begins each calendar day
with a "Today's Special," a featured item at a special sale price.
Programming
A sample of theme programming blocks include (or in the past have included):
The Sunrise Show, early morning shopping show usually hosted by John Cremeans and
Lynn Murphy
The Doll Shop (initiated by Stella Riches and later hosted by others) and other
related doll show programs (generally hosted by Tina Berry, who's been with HSN
from the network's founding)
Fashion Wearhouse, a monthly late-night block of fashions at clear-out prices,
plus other related fashion shows (generally hosted by Bobbi-Ray Carter, and mostly
featuring Terry Lewis, herself a former HSN host)
Moonlight Markdowns, a three-hour show featuring discount merchandise that airs
Thursday nights (Friday mornings)
The NFL Shop, an hour-long program featuring NFL items
Serious Skin Care, devoted to a line of facial cosmetics sold by Jennifer
Flavin-Stallone
Numerous jewelry shows such as USA Gold and Technibond (generally hosted by HSN's
#2 host, Colleen Lopez)
Andrew Lessman Health & Fitness, featuring the expert on health and fitness
products
sundaynight, HSN's flagship program spotlighting the best items of the hour (the
title, by the way, is presented in lowercase letters)
Another key highlight of HSN's programming is Suzanne Somers Weekends, an entire
weekend spotlighting some of the actress' brand-name items, hosted for the most
part by Colleen Lopez.
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