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iVillage

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iVillage
OwnerNBCUniversal
(Comcast)
Created byNancy Evans
Candice Carpenter
Robert Levitan
Tina Sharkey
CommercialYes
Launched1995; 29 years ago (1995)
Current statusDefunct

iVillage, Inc. was a mass media company that operated several websites focused on categories targeted at women. In addition to ivillage.com, the company operated iVillage UK, Astrology.com, GardenWeb, and the NBC Digital Health Network. The iVillage website ceased operations on October 31, 2014 and the domain name was redirected to the Today Show website, while the other domain names were sold.

History

The company was established in Silicon Alley in New York City in 1995 by Candice Carpenter, Nancy Evans, and Robert Levitan. The company's first content site was "Parent Soup", an online community channel on America Online. The company soon established other communities such as "AboutWork", "Better Health & Medical", and "Life Soup".[1]

In March 1999, the company became a public company via an initial public offering, offering shares at $24 each. The stock price reached to nearly $100 in the first day of trading and reached over $130 per share within days, valuing the company at over $2 billion. However, by December 2000, after the bursting of the dot-com bubble, the stock price was under $1 per share.[2][3]

Most of the original management and staff left the company. Controversies had arisen over financing irregularities and company management, and the company had never had a profitable quarter.[3][4]

In 2001, under new management, the company acquired women.com for $47 million.[5]

In May 2006, NBCUniversal acquired iVillage for $600 million, or $8.50 per share.[6]

In July 2008, the company entered into a partnership with BlogHer, an online news, entertainment and information network for women.[7]

In December 2009, the company relaunched Astrology.com.[8]

The site was shutdown and redirected to the website of Today.com in 2013.[9]

In 2015, Astrology.com was acquired by Horoscope.com and GardenWeb.com was acquired by Houzz.[10]

Television show

IVillage
GenreTalk show
Directed byKeith Hobelman
StarringKim Coles (2007-2008)
Naamua Delaney (2006-2007)
Bob Oschack (2006-2007)
Molly Pesce (2006-2007)
Bill Rancic (2007-2008)
Stefani Schaeffer (2006-2007)
Ereka Vetrini (2007-2008)
Guy Yovan (2006-2007)
Country of originUnited States
Production
Executive producerMarlaine Selip
ProducerCindy Patrasso
Running time1 hr. (with commercials)
Original release
NetworkInternally syndicated to NBC Owned Television Stations
ReleaseDecember 4, 2006 (2006-12-04) –
March 28, 2008 (2008-03-28)

iVillage Live (later In the Loop with iVillage) was a daily series intended for broadcast syndication which served as a brand extension attempt to extend the iVillage site to television. However, the series never extended beyond the 9 NBC Owned Television Stations, and went through 2 different iterations before ending after 15 months, airing between December 4, 2006 and March 28, 2008.

The first iteration of the series originated from Universal Orlando Resort as one of NBC's first major on-air synergy efforts with Universal Pictures. WTVJ/Miami held production responsibilities for the series, which was hosted by a group of relatively unknown hosts, including Molly Pesce, Stefani Schaeffer and Guy Yovan, with Naamua Delaney and Bob Oschack as contributing correspondents. The show also aired on a one-day delay on Bravo when it launched, but the repeats ended on Bravo after 3 weeks.[11]

The first season format was deemed unsuccessful, but NBC continued to see potential in an iVillage series, along with the aspect of using former contestants from the Donald Trump-hosted reality television series The Apprentice to boost the show's profile for possible nationwide syndication in the 2008-09 season. On September 4, 2007, NBC Universal Television and iVillage.com announced the relaunch of IVillage Live as In the Loop with iVillage, referencing the Chicago Loop. Premiering on September 17, it originated from Chicago, being filmed from the NBC Tower and being originated by Chicago NBC O&O WMAQ-TV. Hosts for In the Loop included actress Kim Coles, along with the aforementioned Apprentice alums including first season winner Bill Rancic and fellow contestant Ereka Vetrini.[12]

However, In the Loop was unable to maintain any ratings momentum, and was unable to complete the 2007-08 television season or acquire distribution on stations outside NBC. On February 18, 2008, NBC cancelled the series.[13]

Production of the series continued until March 21, followed by a week of rebroadcasts; the final original episode was re-aired on March 28.

References

  1. ^ "IVILLAGE, MONSTER BOARD STRIKE CONTENT DEAL". AdAge. July 10, 1997.
  2. ^ "iVillage IPO takes off". CNNMoney. March 19, 1999.
  3. ^ a b Kaufman, Joanne (March 1, 2001). "iVillage: Learning The Hard Way Candice Carpenter quickly built and burned a business. Drawing the right lessons may take a little longer". Fortune.
  4. ^ Rawe, Julie; Roston, Eric (October 15, 2000). "How Much Did They Lose?". Time.
  5. ^ "iVillage to Acquire Women.com; Creating World's Largest Women's Destination Online" (Press release). Hearst Communications. February 4, 2001.
  6. ^ "NBC Universal to Acquire iVillage Inc.; Top Women's Online Community to Be Centerpiece of NBCU's Digital Strategy" (Press release). Business Wire. March 6, 2006.
  7. ^ "iVillage Enters Strategic Partnership with BlogHer" (Press release). Business Wire. July 16, 2008.
  8. ^ Ariens, Chris (November 22, 2013). "iVillage to Be Shuttered as Standalone Site, Folded into Today.com". AdWeek.
  9. ^ Cohen, David (December 10, 2009). "iVillage Relaunches Astrology.com". AdWeek.
  10. ^ RAO, LEENA (August 25, 2015). "Home design company Houzz makes its first acquisition". Fortune.
  11. ^ "iVillage Live (In the Loop with iVillage)". TV Series Finale.
  12. ^ Bergman, Cory (September 4, 2007). "NBC stations relaunching iVillage show". AdWeek.
  13. ^ "NBC Station Group Cancels 'In the Loop'". TVWeek. February 18, 2008.
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