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The \u2018Windsor Shower Companion\u2019 ($11.49) was the first product sold on home shopping network QVC, which made its debut on 24th November, 1986, quickly becoming a cable TV\xa0phenomenon.\nJoe Segel, the channel\u2019s founder, focussed on a \u2018soft sell\u2019 approach that emphasised authenticity and a friendly, neighbourly connection. The channel's anonymity factor allowed customers to indulge in, um, unusual purchases without fear of judgement, contributing to its ongoing appeal.\nIn this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly reveal the rigorous selection process for QVC presenters; explain why some products\u2019 failure on the network can be ruinous for the companies who made them; and uncover Marlon Brando's extraordinary QVC near-miss\u2026\xa0\nFurther Reading:\n\u2022 \u201815 Things You Might Not Know About QVC\u2019 (Mental Floss, 2015): https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/67266/14-things-you-might-not-know-about-qvc\n\u2022 \u2018Joseph Segel, founder of the Franklin Mint and QVC shopping network, dies at 88\u2019 (The Washington , 2019): https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/joseph-segel-founder-of-the-franklin-mint-and-qvc-shopping-network-dies-at-88/2019/12/24/40d98a34-2679-11ea-b2ca-2e72667c1741_story.html\n\u2022 \u2018QVC's First Broadcast\u2019 (QVC, 1986): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKaIMdX6K7g\nWe'll be back on Monday - unless you join \U0001f334CLUB RETROSPECTORS\U0001f334, where we give you ad-free listening AND a full-length Sunday episode every week!\nPlus, weekly bonus content, unlock over 70 bonus bits, and support our independent podcast.\nJoin now via Apple Podcasts or Patreon. Thanks!\nThe Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.\nTheme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Ollie Peart.\nCopyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2023.\n\n Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices