Home Shopping Network
The Home Shoppping Network (HSN) is a mostly 24-hour shopping network that is seen on pay-cable, satellite, and selected broadcast channels in the USA.
Launched by Lowell 'Bud' Paxson and Roy Spear in 1977 as the Home Shopping Club, a regional cable channel, and expanded into a national network three years later, HSN (its initials forming its otherwise alternate name) pioneered the concept of the viewer shopping for items in the comfort of their own home. It is now owned by InterActive Corp with broadcasts in Europe, Asia and India.
HSN, one of the leading shopping channels in all of 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.
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 Barbara Marville
- 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)
- The NFL Shop, an hour-long program featuring NFL items
- Serious Skin Care, devoted to facial cosmetics
- Numerous jewelry shows such as USA Gold and Techinbond (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.
Among HSN's other personalities are #1 chief host Bill Green, #3 host Chris Scanlon, Alan Skantz, and Brian Hyder.
HSN's main competitor is QVC.
