topic Re: The difference between HSN and QVC hosts... in Q Talk

The difference between HSN and QVC hosts...

HomeShoppingLover87 — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 00:33:59 GMT

I watch both channels avidly, and I've noticed that I tend to prefer HSN hosts. I'm wondering whether that's a coincidence, or there really is something different in either who they hire or how they instruct them to behave at The Q vs. HSN. It does seem the HSN hosts are generally a little less concerned with being proper (and Lisa and Shawn are/were my two favorite QVC hosts, and they're both known for being silly and having a lot of fun on set). So maybe that's the difference, that Q trains its hosts to be more professional, only some of us don't like that. Similarly, Callie on HSN is one of my least favorite hosts, and I think it's because she always seems so "On," like she's trying really hard to be poised and proper and ladylike, which annoys me. She seems like she'd fit better on the Q.

Anyone else have thoughts on the differences between the two channels' hosts?

Re: The difference between HSN and QVC hosts...

handygal2 — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 00:46:06 GMT

Interesting comparison. To me, HSN has 2 fast-talking, hard-sell hosts: Bobbie Ray Carter and Amy Morrison. I think the Q has more. I like a more laid-back approach, and l think HSN has more of that style.

Re: The difference between HSN and QVC hosts...

stevieb — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 00:48:17 GMT

I honestly can't say. At one time I watched a fair amount of both, then pretty much exclusively QVC. These days, when I'm watching home shopping at all, more times than not, it's Evine... I too enjoyed Lisa, but most of the rest don't engage me enough to watch and neither does the programming or product line up.

Re: The difference between HSN and QVC hosts...

Colonel Meow — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 00:50:21 GMT

Coleen Lopez is a cut-above, on either channel. She is my favorite host, although I don't watch HSN very often.

Re: The difference between HSN and QVC hosts...

HomeShoppingLover87 — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 00:50:44 GMT

Funny you should say that, because in my head, the one I was thinking of as almost being a little too much at HSN is Bobbi. Maybe that's just because she's the last one I watched, I think, but she does almost seems like she's had too much caffeine. It at least seems natural for her, though. Same with Amy. To me, they just seem naturally enthusiastic, not like they're trying to be a certain way for TV. So maybe they're just good fakers. But some of the Q hosts seems like they're very much trying to be mannerly and proper and all that, and that's a turnoff for me. But you'll find plenty of users who hate Shawn's quirky style, so it's interesting how much views can differ.

Re: The difference between HSN and QVC hosts...

missy1 — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 00:50:57 GMT

On 3/29/2015 handygal said: Interesting comparison. To me, HSN has 2 fast-talking, hard-sell hosts: Bobbie Ray Carter and Amy Morrison. I think the Q has more. I like a more laid-back approach, and l think HSN has more of that style.

BRC, Amy and Shannon hard sale, and never let the vendor speak.

Re: The difference between HSN and QVC hosts...

HomeShoppingLover87 — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 00:58:01 GMT

Yes, they are all quite enthusiastic. So is Colleen, but like Colonel Meow, I think she's great and seems genuine. It seems the HSN hosts are either trained better at feigning enthusiasm, or truly do just feel more passionately about their products.

I suppose it helps that - as discussed recently on another thread - HSN generally has much better prices than The Q, so you feel more in agreement with their hosts when they rave about the prices. As much as I like some of the QVC hosts, I can't help but roll my eyes a lot and talk back at the TV when they try to convince me what a great deal something is just because there are six easy-pays (doesn't mean it's cheaper!), or it's, like, $10 off a $300 bag I could get for half off at an online retailer.

Re: The difference between HSN and QVC hosts...

kaydee50 — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 01:25:21 GMT

It seems to me that the HSN hosts don't talk about their personal lives as much, e.g., sisters, children,etc., as the QVC people do. IMO they stick to the product and give better info with a minimum of extraneous chit chat.

Colleen, Shivan and Bill are 2 of my favorites on HSN. Can't pick anyone on the Q although there are several I find difficult to watch.

Re: The difference between HSN and QVC hosts...

HomeShoppingLover87 — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 01:35:59 GMT

That's a good point, castlenv. I'll admit, as lame as some people think it is, I actually do find hearing about the hosts' lives entertaining. But no more so than I would about anyone else. It's not that I worship them or something; it's just interesting to hear about others' lives.

The flip side of that, though, is when they have to answer to all of America about something unpleasant. I was so anxious for Shawn on her first night back after her miscarriage (actually, her first few nights back - I was terrified a caller would bring it up, even though she said in her blog not to).

Re: The difference between HSN and QVC hosts...

Alsee — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 03:07:47 GMT

To me, the Q hosts are more interested in trying to be TV personalities instead of just presenting the products. The HSN hosts seem more professional with a few exceptions.

Re: The difference between HSN and QVC hosts...

sunshine 919 — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 03:41:48 GMT

I use to enjoy Q, I use to watch it most of the time. The hosts were all different and had there own styles. Now it seems they are all taking some type of make over class. Not as much fun to watch. I use to really enjoy Shawn, she was very casual and funny. I watch sometimes but I have not purchased anything from them in months. I enjoy HSN's hosts and I find that the prices are more reasonable and more of a variety. I do think Colleen comes across as a diva but when she is presenting jewelry she makes it very interesting. Some of the Vendors on HSN are really interesting to watch. Antthony is a kick, Joy's shows are a lot of fun and Wendy had a live audience that was fun to watch. The only time I had to return something to HSN was when I ordered doubles on two different items. Customer service was very nice and was a great help. At this time I will have to say that I think HSN is more interesting to watch.

Re: The difference between HSN and QVC hosts...

chrystaltree — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 03:51:26 GMT

I rarely watch Hsn but I think Colleen is the best in the business by far. No one comes close to her. All the shopping channeks have some good hosts, some average and some bad ones. I'm really only interested in what they sell, I watch for the merchandise.

Re: The difference between HSN and QVC hosts...

millieshops — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 03:58:08 GMT

I think it's personal opinion. There's not a single HSN host I enjoy watching and I assume that's one of the reasons I've spent under $25 there in the last 15 years. I don't like most of their products and I just can't relate to their hosts. They seem more like cardboard cutouts than real people.

But, I repeat - it's personal opinion. Just as in real life, we all like different people. It's not strictly factual.

Re: The difference between HSN and QVC hosts...

isaboo — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 04:17:56 GMT

Personally I think QVC has better hosts. They are more professional and polished.

HSN - not so much except for Colleen Lopez.

Re: The difference between HSN and QVC hosts...

Stray — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 14:00:02 GMT

I watch mostly QVC because I rarely buy anything from HSN; they are cheaper, have easy pay, easy returns but the quality is not there. I have returned mostly everything I have purchased. I did go through a phase of DG jeans and Jay King but the jeans discolored my legs, sizing off and every piece of Jay King I have purchased are missing stones and the settings cheap. So I have little interest in their hosts. No interest in Evine; tried a blouse, cheap...tried shoes, fit poorly. I really don't care about the host; I am interested in quality...and price is a factor but I don't mind paying more if the quality is there.

Re: The difference between HSN and QVC hosts...

CHEX — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 14:00:03 GMT

Personal information is interesting and entertaining but at times many complain that some of the product information never gets presented! When this happens more people order products that disappoint them when they arrive. A specific example of this is the all the channels do a lousy job when discussing the face makeup colors. Really, most use medium???? Not hardly. Simply not that simple. All the stations spend most of the time talking about the color choices in items...duh...you can see the colors in terms of household items. But they skimp on details. There must be research that says that is what motivates people to buy without thinking it through. After all, so much of the orders are on impulse. Rarely have I ever been looking for a specific item that I order. All that being said, Colleen has long been my favorite. She has such a unique command of the English language finding works to describe things that others have not used and she comes across with such class. But they are sales people and even Colleen has claimed that every brand of jeans that she presents is her favorite...although she is very careful in her wording with Diane Gilman.

Re: The difference between HSN and QVC hosts...

cosmic1 — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 14:13:38 GMT

I find that the HSN hosts seem to be less about the hard sell, with maybe BRC being an exception or at least a faster talker than the rest. I saw her with Iman the other day and it was like watching one of the faster talking QVC hosts.

I actually prefer the hosts on Evine. I think they come across as the most professional, personable and laid back. They seem to have hit the balance for me.

Re: The difference between HSN and QVC hosts...

jackthebear — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 14:39:44 GMT

I have actually some clothing from HSN recently the Iman TS and Twiggy cardigan.

What I prefer there is much less reliance on the social media during the show and personal stuff during the show.

Q's set and production values are better vis a vis the ad breaks but that might because I get Q in Hidef and HSN in standard.

but I think HSN has it all over Q as far as fashion, much wider variety and they don't have such long shows, they will do 30 mins on a product then move to the next which I like.

And they have Bill Green

Re: The difference between HSN and QVC hosts...

handygal2 — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 14:50:45 GMT

On 3/30/2015 cosmic1 said:
I find that the HSN hosts seem to be less about the hard sell, with maybe BRC being an exception or at least a faster talker than the rest. I saw her with Iman the other day and it was like watching one of the faster talking QVC hosts.

I actually prefer the hosts on Evine. I think they come across as the most professional, personable and laid back. They seem to have hit the balance for me.

My sentiments exactly.

Re: The difference between HSN and QVC hosts...

Krimpette — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 15:07:11 GMT

I don't watch a whole lot of HSN (though I'm beginning to watch more and more). My favorites (in no particular order) are Shivan, Colleen, Callie and Bill Green. Just like QVC, I like some of the HSN hosts more than others. And there are some on QVC that I just don't care to watch.