PodcastsMay 20, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
MajorsJul 07, 2017
QVC Parent to Buy HSN in $2.6B Deal
Liberty Interactive is acquiring the 62 percent of HSN Inc. that it doesn’t already own.
Liberty Interactive Corp., parent company of West Chester, Pennsylvania-based home shopping channel QVC, is buying rival station HSN in a deal valued at nearly $3 billion.
Englewood, Colo.--QVC parent company Liberty Interactive Corp. announced Thursday that it is buying out rival home shopping network HSN Inc. in a deal valued at $2.6 billion.
Liberty Interactive already owns 38.2 percent of HSNi. Under the terms of the agreement, it will acquire the remaining 61.8 percent stake, making HSN a wholly owned subsidiary.
The long-talked-about merger brings together two rivals in the home shopping arena that sell a combined $800 million-plus in jewelry and watches annually, according to National Jeweler’s latest State of the Majors report.
And it comes at a time when the home shopping networks, like many brick-and-mortar retailers, are struggling to compete with online players like Amazon.
“There’s so much change going on in retailing, and by combining forces our ability to serve the customers at that much higher a level, to create new digital platforms, new interactive television platforms (improves),” QVC Inc. President and CEO Mike George said on MSNBC Thursday. “Now we join forces, and we compete that much more strongly in the broader retail marketplace.”
The QVC-HSN merger is an all-stock transaction; HSNi shareholders will receive 1.65 shares of QVC Group common stock for each share of HSNi stock that they own.
Liberty Interactive already owns 38.2 percent of HSNi. Under the terms of the agreement, it will acquire the remaining 61.8 percent stake, making HSN a wholly owned subsidiary.
The long-talked-about merger brings together two rivals in the home shopping arena that sell a combined $800 million-plus in jewelry and watches annually, according to National Jeweler’s latest State of the Majors report.
And it comes at a time when the home shopping networks, like many brick-and-mortar retailers, are struggling to compete with online players like Amazon.
“There’s so much change going on in retailing, and by combining forces our ability to serve the customers at that much higher a level, to create new digital platforms, new interactive television platforms (improves),” QVC Inc. President and CEO Mike George said on MSNBC Thursday. “Now we join forces, and we compete that much more strongly in the broader retail marketplace.”
The QVC-HSN merger is an all-stock transaction; HSNi shareholders will receive 1.65 shares of QVC Group common stock for each share of HSNi stock that they own.
QVC Inc. President and CEO Mike George | Mike George QVC Inc.
The acquisition, which is subject to regulatory approval and the approval of the majority of HSNi’s stockholders, is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter 2017.
Also later this year, Liberty Interactive will spin off QVC and flash-sale site Zulily, which it acquired in 2015, to form the QVC Group Inc. HSNi will become part of the group. HSNi includes HSN (the Home Shopping Network) and Cornerstone, which is comprised of home and lifestyle brands Ballard Designs, Frontgate, Garnet Hill, Grandin Road and Improvements.
Even after the merger is complete, HSNi will remain headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, but be headed by George, who works out of QVC’s headquarters in West Chester, Pennsylvania. HSN has been without a CEO since Mindy Grossman left the company in late May.
Both QVC and HSN were on National Jeweler’s 2016 list of $100 Million Supersellers. QVC ranked No. 11 with an estimated $626 million in watch and jewelry sales in 2015, while HSN Inc. was at No. 26 with an estimated $214 million in sales.
According to a presentation the companies made to shareholders on Thursday, jewelry currently accounts for a nearly equal percentage of the product offerings at both networks; 8 percent at HSN and 9 percent at QVC.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
The Latest
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Weekly QuizMay 14, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Medal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
CrimeMay 14, 2026
Second Man Arrested in Florida Pawn Shop Shooting Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place StoreJack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
TrendsMay 13, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
