| HSN through the years |
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1977
By accident, home shopping gets its start on a Clearwater, Florida AM radio station when an advertiser cannot pay his bill. The station owner accepts 112 electric can openers in lieu of cash, which he decides to auction over the air. A complete sellout gives birth to “Suncoast Bargaineers,” a regularly scheduled radio show.
1981
The concept moves to Tampa Bay-area local access cable as “Home Shopping Channel.”
1982
Home Shopping Channel graduates to a regular local Tampa-area cable system and is assigned a permanent channel number.
1985
Rechristened “Home Shopping Club” (HSC), the network launches nationwide, broadcasting 24 hours a day through cable and local television stations.
Company employs 300 people and boasts 75,000 regular customers.
1986
The Home Shopping Network emerges as a public company trading on the American Stock Exchange.
1995
Barry Diller, former chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Paramount Pictures Corporation and Fox Inc., purchases The Home Shopping Network and joins HSN as chairman of the board.
1997
Parent company HSN Inc. purchases a controlling interest in Ticketmaster, the world’s leading ticketing company.
Company announces agreement to acquire the majority of Universal Studio Inc.’s television assets, including USA Network and Sci-Fi Network.
1998
Upon completion of the Universal deal, HSN Inc. changes its name to USA Networks Inc. USA acquires the rest of Ticketmaster.
Short Shopping, a division that produces direct-selling commercials for various broadcast and cable network partners is launched.
1999
HSN establishes many exciting partnerships including programs with FOX, Nickelodeon and Hearst Publications.
HSN acquires inventor/designer Joy Mangano’s Ingenious Designs, Inc., a leading producer of consumer products sold via direct response television and infomercials.
The network’s companion website, hsn.com, successfully launches and becomes profitable in just three months.
HSN extends its reach internationally into Germany and Japan.
2000
The network adds one million new customers during the first 6 months of the year and counts five million active customers.
In April, HSN becomes the official electronic retailer of the NFL.
In September, Home Shopping Network officially changes its name to HSN with its first-ever branding campaign, titled “Only on HSN.”
2001
HSN acquires Craftopia.com in January
The network strikes a deal with top designer Randolph Duke to create an exclusive line of fashion apparel for HSN.
HSN acquires the Improvements brand catalog and website from Hanover Direct Inc., in June.
In November, Suzanne Somers sets sail with 2,000 women on the HSN Goddess Cruise, setting a record for the world’s largest floating pajama party and marking the first time a television shopping network has broadcast live at sea.
HSN.com brings in more revenue in the final quarter of 2001 than it did in all of 2000.
2002
In only 4 hours, internationally acclaimed guitar virtuoso Esteban generated almost $1 million in sales, breaking HSN's previous same-day music sales record of $678,000 set in 1999.
USA Networks sells its entertainment assets to Vivendi Universal. HSN becomes one of the centerpieces of the newly formed USA Interactive.
2003
HSN’s parent company USA Interactive changes its name to IAC/InterActiveCorp.
Renowned personalities such as Raquel Welch and Patti Labelle bring their exclusive product lines to HSN.
HSN sets new single-day sales record on December 6 with $30 million in sales.
HSN strikes deal with global shipping giant UPS to deliver packages to HSN’s millions of customers resulting in faster shipping and improved customer service.
HSN.com launches a completely redesigned website featuring new graphics, navigational tools and greater interaction with HSN TV.
2004
HSN welcomes to the network industry leaders such as celebrity chef Roy Yamaguchi, designer Stephen Burrows and Phyllis George.
HSN’s sister network, America’s Store, reinvents itself with new programming, positioning and graphics.
2005
HSN introduces stylish fashion nameplates such as Nine West and Bandolino, as well as innovative cookware designs from celebrity chef Todd English.
HSN acquires leading catalog and online retailer Cornerstone Brands and its portfolio of well-respected brands including Ballard Designs, Frontgate, Garnet Hill, Smith&Noble, The Territory Ahead and Travelsmith.
HSN announces plans to introduce “click and buy” interactive television technologies that will allow viewers to purchase items with just a few clicks of their TV remote control.
HSN partners with USA Network for innovative new inventor-based reality show titled Made In The USA.
2006
Respected retail veteran Mindy Grossman is appointed CEO of IAC Retailing to lead the transformation of HSN, both on TV and online. New partners such as accessories designer Beverly Feldman, jewelry designer Cameron Cohen, and clothing designer Shoshanna Lonstein-Gruss bring their lines to HSN.
HSN introduces for the first time in the U.S. “Shop By Remote” interactive television service that allow viewers to purchase items with just a few clicks of their set-top box TV remote control. Leading beauty authority Sephora partners with HSN for a holiday preview live from New York. All merchandise sells out in less than two hours airtime.
2007
HSN begins the rollout of a comprehensive re-branding initiative with introduction of new sets, graphics and on-air presentations as well as a re-freshening of hsn.com. The new brand reflects a tone, look and feel that has never been seen before in electronic retail.
Sephora officially launches on HSN in February, kicking off regular monthly appearances by the beauty authority’s panel of top experts. New brands are introduced each month to the network’s millions of viewers.
HSN welcomes celebrity stylist Wayne Scot Lukas to the network in March with the launch of LUKASTYLE, an exclusive line of mix and match separates designed to make every woman look their best, regardless of their body shape.
That same month a new 6,000 sq-ft outdoor set, complete with lush landscaping, screened pool and stunning exterior facades, debuted, providing the perfect setting for a variety of shows ranging from swimsuit fashions to outdoor furniture to auto accessories.
HSN’s Spring Fashion Preview and Rising Chefs events usher in a new direction of lifestyle entertainment programming including live runway shows and multiple, simultaneous chef demonstrations, respectively.
HSN launches Shop by Remote interactive television service nationally for the first in the U.S. via satellite provider DISH Network.
National fashion boutique Scoop NYC brings their “Ultimate Closet” concept of one-stop shopping from the best brands in fashion to the viewers of HSN in April.
HSN turns 30 and marks the milestone with the launch of a national advertising campaign and month-long birthday programming.
Celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse debuts on HSN to kick off month-long celebration of the network’s 30th birthday on July 1.
HSN partners with fashion authority ELLE magazine for Fall Fashion Week Presented by ELLE in August. The fashion event includes five nights of trend reports directly from the offices of ELLE magazine followed by fashion stylist Lloyd Boston demonstrating how to make the trends work. During the event, designers such as Tina Knowles and David Rodriguez debut new exclusive fashion lines for HSN viewers with full runway presentations.
Lifestyle and entertaining expert Colin Cowie unveils his new line of holiday decorations, tabletop entertaining products and accessories, exclusively on HSN in October.
Legendary singer/songwriter James Taylor launched his new Hear Music CD/DVD set One Man Band in November on HSN. Taylor sat with HSN’s Callie Northagen to share candid thoughts and anecdotes about the album and his music for HSN viewers.
Celebrated supermodel and fashion muse IMAN brings Global Chic line of jewelry and fashion accessories to HSN in December, with the majority of her items selling out in a matter of hours.
Also in December, HSN launched an exclusive collection of new, branded products from world renown psychic medium, best-selling author and lecturer John Edward.
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