Home Shopping Network to close
America's Store
In a move that caught many people, including yours truly, by surprise, the Home Shopping Network announced recently that they are giving up on America's Store, their smaller network. Although it was pretty much common knowledge in the industry that AS was losing money, the talk around centered on a new chance at life, either through investment or an entirely new approach, including deep discount "Bargathons" which coincidentally at one time was the very staple of HSN back in its' formative years.
Conflicting reports abound, some saying that ShopNBC has agreed to take over AS' viewership, while inside sources of yours truly have stated that Jewelry Television/Shop At Home has secured the deal.
When something like this happens, it is never good for the industry, nor for the people who work in the industry. I have friends both in the host staff and in other positions (producers, tech staff, etc.) that will soon be out of work due to this unfortunate turn of events. They will remain nameless here out of respect to their privacy. Thus far, I understand that six show hosts have been released.
The network will officially cease operation on March 31, 2007.