QVC

QVC
Launched	July 1986
Network	QVC
Owned by	Liberty Media
Picture format	1080i (HDTV) 480i (SDTV)
Slogan	Quality, Value, Convenience
Country	USA
Broadcast area	Worldwide
Headquarters	West Chester, Pennsylvania
Website	QVC.com
Availability
Satellite
DirecTV	275 (SD only)
Dish Network	137 (SD only)
Cable
Available on many cable systems	Check local listings for channels
IPTV
Verizon FiOS	650 (HD) 150 (SD)
AT&T U-Verse	1420 (HD) 420 (SD)
Sky Angel	333
Internet television
QVC	Watch live (US only)

The 2007 iQdoU? ad campaign at Times Square

QVC is a multinational corporation specializing in televised home shopping. Founded in 1986 by Joseph Segel in West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States, QVC broadcasts in six countries as QVC US, QVC UK, QVC Germany, QVC Japan, QVC Italy, and QVC/CNR (China) to 235 million households. The name is an initialism standing for Quality, Value, Convenience.

Corporate history

QVC's former logo used from 1988 until September 16, 2007.

QVC was founded on June 13, 1986 by Joseph Segel. One of the first brands to sign a two year deal with QVC was Sears products.^{[citation needed]} Its first live broadcast took place at 7:30 PM ET on November 24 of that year, reaching 7.6 million TV homes; the first item sold was a "Windsor Shower Companion" shower radio, presented by host John Eastman (Bob Bowersox was the first host seen on-screen). The corporation later set a new record for first full-year fiscal sales for a new public company of $112 million. Its primary competitor in the United States is the Home Shopping Network (HSN).

Initially broadcast live from 7:30 PM ET until midnight each weekday and all day Saturdays and Sundays, the channel extended its live programming to 24 hours in January 1987. QVC acquired its top competitor, the Cable Value Network (CVN), in 1989. The $380 million deal contributed to a loss of $17 million during the next fiscal quarter, and then to difficulties in the couple of years that followed.

On February 2, 1995, Comcast purchased a majority shareholding in QVC, Inc., taking control of the corporation. QVC kicked off the "Quest for America's Best: 50 in 50 Tour," a 50-week nationwide product search. QVC.com was started in 1996 as iQVC

QVC HD logo

In 1998 a class-action suit was brought against QVC. Two former hosts of QVC sued the network, claiming that they were discriminated against by the shopping channel based on their race. The lawsuit went on to state that QVC refused to allow non-white hosts any permanent daytime/primetime spots, which relegated them to the overnight hours, otherwise known as the "graveyard shift." Because of this, the non-white hosts were paid considerably less than the white hosts.

In July 2003, Comcast sold its majority share to Liberty Media.

On September 23, 2007, QVC U.S. rebranded itself, changing its logo on-air and online. The rebranding was accompanied by an advertising campaign with the tagline "iQdoU?" ("I shop QVC, do you?") that had preceded the rebrand with billboards in major U.S. cities. The iQdoU? campaign also included a "teaser" website.

In May 2009, QVC became the first multimedia retailer to offer a native high-definition service. The 4:3 cut for analog viewers in this 16:9 presentation is made to the right of the screen rather than on both sides of the 4:3 frame, allowing the network to place their graphics fully to the left and lower portions of the screen to maximize camera presentation space.

On September 30, 2010, at 11pm, QVC began broadcasting in Italy, both on satellite and digital terrestrial television.

In 2012 QVC partnered with China National Radio to take over operations of it television home shopping network and associated internet e-commerce site. Initial reach was reported to be 35 million households.

Operations

All of QVC's operations (U.S., UK, Germany, Japan, Italy and China) run 24 hours a day, although live programming hours vary between each region.

Headquarters

QVC has its headquarters in West Chester, Pennsylvania by U.S. Route 202. The $100 million QVC Studio Park complex, located on an 80-acre (32 ha) plot of land, opened in 1997.

QVC US

QVC's U.S. operations are based in the Studio Park complex, which houses its corporate headquarters, studio and broadcasting facilities. Studio Park is the former corporate offices of Commodore Business Machines. Call center facilities are located in Chesapeake, Virginia; Port St. Lucie, Florida; and San Antonio, Texas. QVC's distribution centers are situated in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Suffolk, Virginia; Florence, South Carolina; and Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

QVC U.S. also operates a series of retail stores across the country, including outlet stores that are located in Bloomington, Mn.; Lancaster, Pa.; Frazer, Pennsylvania; Prices Corner, Del.; Rehoboth Beach, Del.; and Myrtle Beach, S.C.

QVC broadcasts live in the United States 24/7, apart from the Christmas show which is pre recorded to more than 100 million households, and ranks as the number two television network in terms of revenue (#1 in home shopping networks), with sales in 2010 giving a net revenue of $7.8 billion.

QVC UK

Main article: QVC (UK)

QVC UK was launched in October 1993. QVC UK's headquarters and broadcasting facilities are located at Marco Polo House in Battersea, London but are to move to a new smaller complex in Chiswick Park in late April 2012. Call center and distribution facilities are situated in Knowsley, Merseyside. QVC UK also runs two outlet stores, one in Warrington, the other in Shrewsbury. QVC has a second channel in the UK: QVC Beauty.

QVC UK broadcasts live 17 hours a day (although the channel runs 24 hours a day), 364 days a year (off-air for one day on Christmas Day).

QVC Germany

Main article: QVC Germany

QVC Germany, incorporated in Düsseldorf, runs call centre operations from two sites in Bochum and Kassel, whilst distribution is handled from a dedicated site in Hückelhoven.

QVC Germany broadcasts live 24 hours a day, 363.5 days a year (off-air Christmas Eve (no program after noon) and Christmas Day). QVC has two additional channels in Germany: QVC Plus and QVC Beauty.

QVC Japan

QVC Japan, headoffice 'QVC-Square'

QVC Japan is based in Makuhari, where its corporate headquarters and call center facility are located. Distribution facilities are located in Sakura City.

QVC Italy

QVC Italy was launched in October 2010. QVC Italy's headquarters and broadcasting facilities are located at Brugherio, near Milan.

QVC Italy broadcasts live 17 hours a day (although the channel runs 24 hours a day), 364 days a year. The primary distribution platforms for QVC Italy are digital terrestrial television and satellite.

QVC/CNR (China)

QVC/CNR (China) is based in Beijing and operates both a television broadcast and associated e-commerce website cnrmall.com The China operation is a 51/49 Joint Venture between state owned China National Radio and QVC based on the pre-existing CNR channel reaching 35 million households, with plans to grow to 195 million households that have digital cable. QVC expands in China through joint venture - MarketWatch. Chinese law prohibits private control of Television stations, so this is the maximum position QVC can hold in its Chinese operations. QVC/CNR broadcasts 12 hours a day live and then replays the previous 12 hour segment.^{[citation needed]}

Hosts

QVC's live broadcast is supported by 28 program hosts. They come from a variety of different backgrounds and work one-to four-hour shifts on-air, two to five days a week.

Embedded below is a list of QVC's current hosts in the United States, along with their signature shows:

• Jill Bauer - joined QVC in 1993
  • You're Home with Jill
  • Just Desserts with Jill
• Ben Mecher - joined QVC in 1995
  • Ben Jammin' with Ben
• Sandra Bennett - joined QVC in 2006
  • Whole You with Sandra
• Rachel Boesing - joined QVC in 2011
• Jayne Brown - joined QVC in 1999
  • Downtown Style with Jayne Brown
  • Fashionably Early with Jayne & Pat
• Courtney Cason - joined QVC in 2010
• Jennifer Coffey - joined QVC in 2011
• Rick Domeier - joined QVC in 1994
  • techCONNECT with Rick
  • Get Fit with Rick
  • Home Projects with Rick and Dan
  • Rick & Easy Cooking
  • Rick & Easy Solutions
  • Anything Goes with Rick & Shawn
• Sharon Faetsch - joined QVC in 2003
  • The Wishful Dish with Sharon (premieres April 1, 2013)
• Jacque Gonzales - joined QVC in 2003
  • Electronics with Jacque & Friends
• Carolyn Gracie - joined QVC in 2005
  • Garden Party with Carolyn
  • Kitchen Unlimited with Carolyn
  • Sundays with Carolyn & Dan
• Nancy Hornback - joined QVC in late 2009
• Dan Hughes - joined QVC in 1989
  • Mornings Made Easy
  • The Great Outdoors with Dan
  • Sundays with Carolyn & Dan
• Albany Irvin - joined QVC in 2009
  • Electronics Made Easy with Albany
  • Bright Ideas with Albany
• Dave James - joined QVC in 2004
  • Seriously Late on QVC
• Pat James-DeMentri - joined QVC in 1989
  • Mornings Made Easy
  • Fashionably Early with Jayne & Pat
• Gabrielle Kerr - joined QVC in 2007
• Shawn Killinger - joined QVC in 2007
  • "No Problem!" with Shawn
  • Shawn Says, "Accessorize!"
  • Anything Goes with Rick & Shawn
• Kerstin Lindquist - joined QVC in 2011
• Antonella Nester - joined QVC in 2004
  • Antonella's Italian Kitchen
• Lisa Robertson - joined QVC in 1995
  • Ask Lisa About Style
  • PM Style with Lisa Robertson
  • What the Tech? with Lisa
  • The Lisa Robertson Show
• Mary Beth Roe - joined QVC in 1990
  • My Time with Mary Beth
  • Handbags with Mary Beth
• Amy Stran - joined QVC in 2009
  • Inspired Style
• Jane Treacy - joined QVC in 1986 as one of the original hosts
  • Shoe Shopping with Jane
  • Enjoyable Entertaining
  • Jane's Rock Stars
  • Now That's Cool! with Jane
• David Venable - joined QVC in 1993
  • Dining With David
  • In the Kitchen with David
  • In the Kitchen with David PM Edition
  • Merry Memories with David (seasonal show)
• Dan Wheeler - joined QVC in 1991
  • Home Projects with Rick and Dan
  • NFL Shop
• Leah Williams - joined QVC in 1996
  • AM Beauty with Leah Williams
  • AM Style with Leah Williams

Product representatives

QVC's hosts are often supported by a product representative for certain products.

Below is a list of some of QVC's product representatives:

• Kathy Gendel - Breezies Intimates
• Dennis Basso - Dennis Basso Boutique
• Paula Deen - food and kitchen products
• Oscar Dovale - electronics
• Melissa Epps - toys
• Susan Graver - Susan Graver Style & Jewelry
• Lori Greiner - Clever and Unique Creations
• Sharon Hanby-Robie - home decor
• Leslie Hermanson - Mr. Christmas
• Nancy Hicks - Effortless Style by citiknits
• Christine Kane - HP
• Nathan Matatall- Dell Computers
• Peyton Kelley - jewelry
• Marie Louise Kier - kitchen products
• Steven Klaszky - Dell
• Meredith Laurence - The Blue Jean Chef, Technique
• Dara Lynn - philosophy
• Bob Mackie - Bob Mackie Wearable Art
• Josie Maran - Cosmetics
• Tara McConnell - Temp-tations ovenware
• MarkCharles Misilli - kitchen products
• Isaac Mizrahi - IsaacMizrahiLIVE!
• Robert Lee Morris - RLM by Robert Lee Morris
• Michael O'Connor - Diamond Jewelry by Affinity
• Valerie Parr Hill - Heartfelt Home and Home Fragrances
• Chris Pryme - Lock & Lock
• Rachael Ray - Rachael Ray cookware
• Chris Rider - Dell
• Joan Rivers - Joan Rivers Classics Collection
• Dr. James Rouse - Nature's Code vitamins
• Laurie Shore - Mrs. Prindable's foods
• Angel Smedley - Quacker Factory
• Craig Smith - electronics
• Eric Theiss - kitchen gadgets
• Bob Warden - Cook's Essentials
• Marianne Ahern - Fashion Accessories

References

• qvc.com
• multichannel.com

External links

• QVC US
• QVC Germany
• QVC Japan
• QVC UK
• QVC Studio Tours Page US
• QVC Italy
• QVC/CNR (China)