Jewelry Television began another round of job cuts today, although the number of affected employees is not known. The retailer warned that workforce reductions may continue, as needed, until costs can be brought in line with declining revenues. JTV currently employs about 1,300 people, down from 2,000 a year ago. WVLT-TV (Knoxville, TN) Jan. 7, 2009 Knoxville News Sentinel (TN) Jan. 8, 2009
Jewelry Television Cuts More Jobs
DRTV Retailer
Comments Off
Jan 082009
Do Live TV and Web Sales Compete or Complement Each Other?
DRTV Retailer, Worldwide Web
Comments Off
Dec 032008
National Jeweler tackles the question that the DRTV networks have wrestled with for almost a decade now, and in the process reveals the growing share of internet sales among the DRTV networks. Online sales as a percentage of total sales has increased at all four networks in recent years:
At QVC, from 16% to 20% between 2005 and 2007
At SHopNBC, from 21% to 28% during the same period
At HSN, from 31% to 33% between 2006 and 2007
At JTV, from 15% to 18% during the same period
JTV marketing executive Randy Saddler thinks the big question isn’t between live TV and the web, but rather whether “at-home” shopping as an integrated marketing approach — including on-air sales, e-commerce, catalogs and other direct marketing strategies) can win out against brick-and-mortar retailers. National Jeweler Dec. 1, 2008
Jewelry Television Eliminates 30 IT Jobs
DRTV Retailer
Comments Off
Nov 132008
The retailer informed 30 information technology staff members that their positions were being eliminated yesterday, as part of the company’s effort to contend with the challenging retail environment and slumping jewelry sales, in particular. JTV laid off 150 staff members last spring, and said that additional workforce reductions may be necessary in the first quarter of 2009. The cuts at JTV, combined with the far larger reduction at QVC, made yesterday something of a Black Wednesday for the direct response, network television business. WBIR TV-10 (Knoxville, TN) Nov. 12, 2008
JTV Reaches Preliminary Settlement on Chemically-Altered Gemstone Suit
Customers/Customer Service, DRTV Retailer, USA
Comments Off
Oct 232008
Yesterday, a judge approved a preliminary class-action settlment that will give cash refunds or store credits to thousands of JTV customers who purchased chemically-altered gemstones that were marketed as “all natural.” As part of the settlement, Jewelry Television admits no wrongdoing, but commits to training employees to help ensure future marketing complies with all rules and regulations. The settlement is expected to cost the retailer several million dollars. WBIR, Channel 10 (TN) JCK Online International Diamond Exchange (Israel) Oct. 23, 2008
Oct 212008
Richard McClain, former director of information technology infrastructure for Jewelry Television and a onetime consultant to Shop at Home, has joined Systems Alliance, Inc., a business and technology consultancy. Mr. McClain will head up a new Knoxville, TN, office for Systems Alliance. Systems Alliance, Inc., Press Release on MarketWatch.com Oct. 21, 2008
Comcast Moving JTV to New, Digital Channel in Southern Michigan
Carriage (Cable & Satellite TV), DRTV Retailer
Comments Off
Oct 062008
Comcast is moving Jewelry Television (JTV) up the dial and into digital range, from channel 17 to 190, beginning October 15th. Jackson Citizen-Patriot (MI) Oct. 6, 2008
Digital Converters Will Block HSN and JTV Analog Signals in Tucson
Carriage (Cable & Satellite TV)
Comments Off
Sep 242008
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
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
