According to the The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), only 21 of the 54 digital signal converters available at retailers will allow analog signals to pass through so that antenna viewers can watch stations broadcasting analog signals from Tucson’s ten low-power transmitters. Several Spanish language stations along with HSN and JTV will be affected. “Venture Technologies, the Los Angeles-based owner of Tucson’s Jewelry Television transmitter, plans to take its signal digital, but not in February, said Vice President Brian Holton.” Tucson Citizen Sept. 22, 2008
Digital Converters Will Block HSN and JTV Analog Signals in Tucson
Carriage (Cable & Satellite TV)
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Sep 242008
Sep 242008
QVC has promoted Angie Simmons to evp of multichannel platforms, putting her in charge of sales, creative design and development, broadcast technology, and on-air talents and guests. She will report to Claire Watts, QVC president of U.S. commerce. Home Textiles Today Sept. 23, 2008
QVC and Euro-Pro Recall Deep Fryers
Appliances, DRTV Retailer, Suppliers
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Sep 242008
Euro-Pro Operating LLC and QVC Inc. recalled some 1,600 Cooks Essentials Deep Fryers, saying they because they have a tendancy to overhead and may pose a burning hazard. Associated Press Sept. 24, 2008
Rosario Moreno Signs on with Home Shopping Latino
DRTV Retailer, Spanish Language, Talent, USA
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Sep 242008
Home Shopping Latino, Inc. yesterday announced that DRTV veteran Rosario Moreno has joined the company in an unspecified position, reporting directly to Federico Teran, chief operating officer. In the press release, Frank Celecia, chairman and ceo of Home Shopping Latino, Inc., said, “Her first assignment will be to generate product excitement as we launch our network.” Home Shopping Latino Inc, dba Viva Telecompras, is a Spanish language TV channel and companion website, still in the planning stages. Home Shopping Latino Press Release on Marketwatch Sept. 23, 2008
Houston Chronicle Interviews Designer and HSN Guest Patricia Field
Celebs & Stars, Fashion - Womens, Suppliers
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Sep 242008
Ms. Field spoke to the newspaper at the Bryant Park Hotel in New York City during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, commenting on her new Destination Style New York Collection (premiering on HSN), the enduring popularity of Sex in the City TV series and the fashion choices of Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton. Houston Chronicle Sept. 23, 2008
Sep 222008
ShopNBC COO Keith Stewart
In an interview conducted before ShopNBC hired Piper Jaffray to consider a possible sale, the DRTV retailer’s ceo, Keith Stewart, said that broadening the product mix and executing the fundamentals in a complex business were critical its success. He also claimed that any fair-minded look at the company’s books would assure business partners that it had the wherewithal to operate for years to come. MultiChannel News Sept. 21, 2008
Mike George Sketches His Path to Top Spot at QVC
DRTV Retailer, Fashion - Womens, Suppliers, Talent
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Sep 222008
QVC's Mike George
QVC’s ceo credits his long tenure at McKinsey & Company, the chance to work with David Farrell of May Department Stores and learning the direct marketing ropes during a stint Dell Computers as crucial steps in his “wildly unplanned” career. He also credits an inability to work with his hands. All that plus lessons learned from a pre-teen’s bad haircut in this week’s offering from NYT column “The Boss.” The New York Times Sept. 20, 2008
LAT Picks Up “Carrie-Clothes-on-HSN” Story
Celebs & Stars, DRTV Retailer, Fashion - Womens, USA
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Sep 222008
The Los Angeles Times covers the premiere of Sex and the City costume designer Patricia Field on HSN with “Carrie-wouldn’t-believe-it” irony. The newspaper points out, however, that the offerings of the Destination Style New York line will be both economical (topping out at around $200) and inclusive (up to size 16). What’s more, Ms. Field seems delighted with her upcoming, TV-shopping star turn, although she insists there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution to fashion. “Style is so individual, I can’t tell you what to wear. I can give ideas, but you have to wear what works for you.” The Destination New York Style line, created by Ms. Field and designer David Dalrymple, will make its premire on HSN tomorrow. Los Angeles Times Sept. 21, 2008
Amidst Talk of Financial World, Hong Kong Jewelry Show Exhibitors Report Mixed Results
International, Trade Shows & Exhibitions
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Sep 222008
An emerald seller reported strong sales, despite slower traffic in the Fine Design Pavilion, and attributed his good fortune to the relatively small number of emerald specialists. Another seller said that the show wasn’t “…as spectacular as usual,” but noted that sales at his firm’s lower and mid-range jewelry booth were holding up ok. Other exhibitor cited the importance of a diverse product line and, especially, diverse geographic markets as important factors in maintaining sales in a down economy. International Diamond Exchange Sept. 21, 2008
Sep 212008
While the four largest shop-at-home networks are expected to post lower revenue this year, they are modifying their programming (HSN), altering product mixes (ShopNBC), targeting new customers (QVC), making over their images (HSN), experimenting with new technologies, such as video on demand, high definition television (JTV and the rest). Perhaps it’s mere bravado, but the mood in the “C suites” of the Big Four seems quite upbeat in the face of current economic conditions. “‘I don’t want to downplay the challenges’” said JTV’s Lane, who has spent 27 years in the retail business, including 17 in home shopping. ‘[But] I think it is a very exciting time.’” Excellent overview of the business today. Multichannel News Sept. 20, 2008
