Shopping-centric QVC and HSN have made their way to Paramount’s Pluto TV as the service’s first live streaming shopping channels.
The channels will collectively air approximately 40 hours of virtual commerce programming, showcasing purchasable content to Pluto TV viewers in the U.S.
Program titles include “In the Kitchen with David,” geared towards cooking products and recipes, fashion-oriented “Gotta See G by Giuliana Rancic.” Both shows see notable engagement across the country, reaching a total of roughly 970,000 households per hour each week, according to QVC and HSN.
Pluto TV isn’t the only free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) platform carrying those networks. QVC and HSN – along with four NBCUniversal Telemundo channels – joined The Roku Channel in November.
"QVC and HSN are leaders in livestream video commerce, offering curated products and lean-back shopping experiences that are fun and engaging," stated Amy Kuessner, SVP of content strategy and global partnerships at Paramount Streaming. “Their esteemed expertise and reputation in the landscape are qualities we are proud to highlight on Pluto TV."
Globally, the QVC and HSN networks reach more than 200 million households on 14 linear channels across cable, free over-the-air TV and digital platforms, which include connected TV.
The companies also run a combined shoppable streaming app that integrates live and on-demand content with in-app purchases. The QVC+ and HSN+ streaming service turned up on Samsung smart TVs in September.
David Apostolico, SVP of platform strategy, development and distribution at Qurate Retail Group’s vCommerce Ventures unit, noted QVC and HSN offer “two distinct livestream shopping experiences, each with its own celebrities, product collections and storytelling style.”
"We look forward to welcoming new and existing customers via Pluto TV and are determined to continue meeting passionate shoppers everywhere they are engaging with video,” he stated.
The debut of QVC and HSN on Pluto coincides with the FAST service’s arrival in Canada on December 1. For the launch, Pluto partnered with Canadian media company Corus, which is acting as Pluto’s ad sales and content partner.
Shoppable TV is an emerging area in the streaming space, as Roku this summer began testing shoppable ads with Walmart. Walmart CMO William White said at the time the retailer is aiming “to connect with customers where they are already spending time.”
Pluto is also working to align its content with consumers’ frequently shifting habits, Pluto TV EVP and International GM Olivier Jollet told Fierce Video in an interview. He said Pluto often tries different formats for certain genres, to ensure that those are the channels people want to watch.