CHINA SHOPPING NETWORK MAKES U.S. DEBUT ON PREMIERE ASIAN-LANGUAGE STATION KTSF-TV
SAN FRANCISCO, January 3, 2002 — Continuing the tradition of providing high-quality Asian-language programs for the Bay Area community, KTSF-TV will launch "China Shopping Network" (CSN) on January 7. CSN is the first Chinese shopping program to be broadcasted in the United States. Hosted by Grace Lai and produced in Mandarin by KTSF Studio 26, China Shopping Network will air Monday, Wednesday and Fridays 11:30am-12:00pm PST.
Modeled after American home shopping shows like QVC and the Home Shopping Network, CSN was formed in 1997 to support the nascent direct response television business in the People's Republic of China. An overwhelming success, CSN has an audience base of 435 million viewers through a network of over 25 cable, terrestrial and satellite affiliate stations in China. "Companies interested in test-marketing for China will find a great microcosm of the Chinese population in the Bay Area, " said CSN Executive Director Ralph Miller. "Conversely, the nearly half-million Chinese Americans living there makes the Bay Area an excellent jumping ground for possible U.S. expansion. Through KTSF, we can access multigenerational Chinese Americans as well as recent immigrants looking for ethnic products."
CSN in California offers a broad range of lifestyle products, from electronics (PDAs and translators) to furniture (architectural details and period furnishings). Customers can pay via check, credit card or COD and are assured a full money-back guarantee. "Grace Lai, with 10 years of broadcasting experience, functions as a culture-sensitive shopping guide," said Mike Sherman, General Manager of KTSF. "She is there to help people make informed shopping decisions about all the products, be it jewelry, clothing or cosmetics." CSN is also a member of the Electronic Retailing Association (ERA), adhering to the trade association's strict code of ethics. "We are delighted to learn about the launch of Chinese Shopping Services on KTSF-TV," said ERA President & CEO Elissa Matulis Myers. "I cannot imagine a more perfect partner in this endeavor than Ralph Miller. Ralph has been patiently developing relationships with the key players in the Direct Response Television Industry in China for more than a decade. His understanding of the cultural preferences and sensitivities of the Chinese market, coupled with his very modern grasp of emerging technologies make him uniquely qualified to tap into what is one of the most important emerging markets." CSN and KTSF are committed to providing their viewers with a secure, personalized and enjoyable shopping experience.
A variety of China Shopping Network products will be showcased online at www.chinashoppingnetwork.com.
KTSF-TV is the premiere multilingual television station serving the rapidly growing Asian American marketplace. Established in 1976, KTSF is an independent, full-power station, providing the Bay Area's Asian population with news, information and entertainment in fourteen languages, including Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Japanese, Korean and Hindi. In 1989 KTSF became the first broadcaster in the nation to carry a live Chinese-language newscast. Today, KTSF is one of the only television stations in the United States to air nightly, live Mandarin and Cantonese-language newscasts. KTSF's signal covers more than 2.75 million households in the San Francisco television market. KTSF-TV broadcasts on UHF channel 26 and is carried throughout the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose television market on cable channel 8.
CONTACTS:
Cristina Santos or Lisa Skriloff
Multicultural Marketing Resources, Inc.
212.242.3351
cristina@multiculturalmarketingresources.com
Michael Sherman
General Manager, KTSF-TV
415.468.2626 x7399
msherman@ktsftv.com
Ralph Miller
Executive Director, China Shopping Network
Tel: 415.925.1077
Email: rmiller@csntv.com
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