Think of it as Survivor for the business world: USA Network and HSN Network will produce Made in the U.S.A., a reality show that lets undiscovered inventors and entrepreneurs compete for a one-year contract with home-shopping giant HSN to sell their wares.
Made in the U.S.A. will track contestants’ challenges to produce their ideas into full-scale products. One contestant will be eliminated each week; the last remaining inventor gets a contract with HSN.
The series, now in production, also will give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at HSN. One-hour episodes begin airing in summer on USA Network. The series is expected to run eight to 12 weeks.
Executive producer is Ken Mok, who also produces UPN’s top-rated reality series America’s Next Top Model. Made in the U.S.A. is the first project developed by Libby Hansen, USA Network’s new VP of alternative specials and series.
“Teaming up with HSN, the electronic retailing powerhouse, really opens the door to making a unique, attention-getting piece of reality entertainment,” said USA Executive VP Jeff Wachtel in a statement.
“This unique project taps into the entrepreneurial side of all of us,” said HSN U.S. President Marty Nealon in a statement. “Coming up with a great product is just the beginning. This show will take viewers on a journey with investors hopefuls as they and their products are put to the test in the real day-to-day activities at our HSN headquarters and soundstages.”
St. Petersburg, FL-based HSN—formerly the Home Shopping Network—is part of IAC/InterActiveCorp. HSN originated electronic retailing in 1977 on a small AM radio station in Florida. The company has since evolved into a global multichannel retailer on TV and is now the fourth largest cable TV network in the U.S.
USA Network is cable TV’s leading provider of original series and feature movies, sports events, off-net TV shows and blockbuster films. The network serves more than 88 million U.S. homes. USA Network is a program service of NBC Universal Cable, a division of NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies.
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