Top 5 Times TV Has Gone Wrong on Live Selling Channels
Live television, especially on selling channels like QVC and HSN, operates in an environment where spontaneity and real-time interaction are key to creating an engaging shopping experience. However, this live format also opens the door to unpredictability. Whether it’s a product malfunction, a host misspeaking, or an unexpected accident, there’s no safety net to catch these errors before they reach millions of viewers. The high stakes and pressure to perform flawlessly make live TV a breeding ground for memorable and sometimes embarrassing mishaps.
Note:
This article features content from the Marketing Made Clear podcast. You can listen along to this episode on Spotify:
Are Channels Like QVC and HSN Sales or Marketing?
TV selling blends both sales and marketing in a dynamic format. It is sales-driven because the primary goal is to directly convert viewers into buyers through persuasive presentations and real-time demonstrations of products. However, it also incorporates marketing elements by building brand awareness, showcasing product benefits, and engaging audiences emotionally. The hosts’ charisma, combined with the urgency of limited-time offers, creates an atmosphere that merges the immediacy of sales with the broader strategies of marketing to drive consumer action.
So we can consider TV selling as a marketing channel. Loosely.
And I’m afraid I’m not a fan, I do enjoy the BBC Apprentice episodes where they have to give TV selling a go, and I enjoy the live fails even more!
I caveat this by saying that I do think the presenters do a wonderful job at filling the “dead air” but I just would never buy anything through one of these channels myself. So just because I referenced it in my recent episode “Why Do People Hate Marketers” – here’s a “Top 5 Times TV Has Gone Wrong on Live Selling Channels::
1. The Ladder Fall Incident
On another live selling channel, a host confidently demonstrated the sturdiness of a ladder by climbing it. Unfortunately, the ladder buckled under his weight, sending him tumbling to the floor. The moment was both shocking and humorous, with the host recovering gracefully despite the mishap.
2. Broken Sword on HSN
A host was enthusiastically selling a collection of swords when, during a demonstration, one of the swords broke in half. The sharp edge flew across the set, narrowly missing the host. The unexpected danger left everyone stunned and highlighted the risks of live demonstrations.
3. Model Passes Out
In one unforgettable incident, a vendor fainted live on air while showcasing a piece of jewellery. The host quickly tried to divert attention, but the moment was undeniably awkward and concerning, leaving viewers and the crew in a state of shock.
Clearly presenting is high pressure (not something I’d like to do) and the vendors are pushing themselves, possibly to dehydration etc. because this kind of thing isn’t uncommon!
4. Another Ladder Incident
Bid TV didn’t learn from all the previous ladder fails and tried to sell an even more complex ladder which inevitably collapsed live on air. luckily for the demonstrator Andy Hodgson’s, he live to tell the tail and even went on to feature in a Channel 5 show; When Live TV Goes Horribly Wrong. Still makes for great TV!
5. The Inflatable Bed Fiasco
A live demonstration of an inflatable bed went hilariously wrong when it deflated as soon as the host laid down on it. The host’s surprised expression and the subsequent struggle to get off the sinking bed made for an amusing and memorable live TV fail.
These moments serve as a reminder of the unpredictability of live television, where even the best-laid plans can go awry in the most unexpected ways.
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