| Ownership | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Bid Shopping |
| History | |
| Launched | October 1997 |
| Closed | 29 April 2012 |
| Links | |
| Website | screenshop.co.uk at theWayback Machine (archived August 22, 2006) |
Screenshop was a British strand ofinfomercial-basedshopping programming andtelevision channel, owned byBid Shopping.
Screenshop was initially launched in October 1997 byFlextech, used as a filler service within the downtime of their owned networks, with intentions to expand to a standalone 24-hour digital network by 1998. It was intended to be the UK equivalent toHSN Direct, where it would show products from across the world from third-party companies.[1][2][3] By 1998-1999, Screenshop launched an online store.[4] In August 1999, Flextech revealed a £14 million loss from the launch of Screenshop andTV Travel Shop.[5]
In early December 1999, Flextech announced that they would merge with cable providerTelewest Communications to create a £10.5bn media giant, with the deal finalising by April 2000.[6][7][8] On 8 September 2000, a full 24-hour Screenshop network was launched on Sky Digital following many delays.[9]
On 6 March 2001, Telewest announced that they would sell Screenshop toSit-Up TV, the owners ofBid-Up.TV, for £10 million in exchange for a 38% stake in Sit Up that was valued at a £14.8m cash injection. The sale would merge Screenshop into Bid-Up.TV's own operations.[10][11] Following the sale, Screenshop began to broadcast on the station during it's downtime.
On 29 August 2002, a second Screenshop channel, entitled Screenshop 2, was launched on Sky Digital.[12]
In July 2004, Sit Up signed a four-year deal withVector Direct to allow Vector to exclusively supply Screenshop's programming, as well as during the downtime on Bid Up and Price Drop. The deal was valued at £5 million.[13] After the deal closed, Screenshop lost its identity with all products shown on the channel being those from Victor Direct. Screenshop's website closed at the same time and became a redirect to Victor Direct's online store.[14]
Beginning in November 2005, Screenshop began being supplied by TV Network under theirTV Warehouse brand, with Screenshop's website transitioning into a redirect over to them.[15] This was following Vector Direct's appearance on theBBC'sWatchdog programme, which was due to the company charging unknowing customers£99.00 for entrance into a "Travel and Leisure" club, in which entry was automatic with every purchase.[16] At some point, both Screenshop channels were removed from the Sky EPG, leaving them solely as filler on Sit-Up's other channels.
On 3 March 2008, Screenshop 2 relaunched onSky channel 680, using the downtime ofSpeed Auction. The channel showed various items from 1.30am to 7.30am every night. Screenshop 2 closed on 29 April 2012.