HSN Plays Games
The Home Shopping Network, St. Petersburg, FL, is launching Match It, a memory challenge game similar to Old Maid designed to entertain diehard viewers and boost sales during slower time slots.
Match It will promote the channel’s ever-changing Today’s Special products, combining programming, special guests, designers, and ventures with other USA Networks, Inc. subsidiaries.
Between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. weekdays, HSN show hosts will pause at least six times to allow callers to pick two of 12 video screens in hopes of matching images. HSN will award each winner a $50 credit toward purchases. Weekly grand prizes of up to $500 will also be awarded.
HSN tried game shows twice unsuccessfully in 1997, but continues to refine the concept because it believes a game appeals to the many viewers who enjoy calling in and participating in broadcasts, says Bill Concello, senior vp-broadcasting.
