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As Seen on TVAs Seen on TV
Preview VideoSlideshowBuy and Buy Now!  An exclusive look insode the $150 billion infomercial industry.  CNBC takes you into the high-pressure world of infomercials where sales are skyrocketing. Sports Business Reporter Darren Rovell sits down pitchmen and their products for an all-access look at a booming business and it’s out-of-this-world profits.

ABOUT THE SHOW

It's a $150 Billion industry, promising people everything from perfect abs to the Perfect Pancake.

Two minutes or less of carefully-crafted commerce aimed solely at making you buy, and buy NOW! A 25-year-old industry whose sales are increasing, despite today's turbulent economy.

CNBC Emmy-nominated Sports Business Reporter Darren Rovell goes inside the big business of direct-response infomercials that's made the Snuggie, ShamWow! and the Ginsu Knife household names.

Rovell sits down with the industry heavyweights like inventor Ron Popeil, the late pitch man Billy Mays and Telebrands CEO AJ Khubani, tests which products are busts or buys, and uncovers the psychology behind why some sales pitches strikeout while others are hit out of the park.

But, WAIT! There's more...


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  • UPDATE:  Mighty Brand 

    The "Mighty" brand that Billy Mays made popular became a mighty seller for Media Enterprises, with sales of $80 million and counting.

  • UPDATE: The Infomercial Industry 

    When times in corporate America are tough, the infomercial industry seems to flourish. And no one had more air time than the late pitchman Billy Mays.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Ginsu Knives
Ginsu Knives
"In Japan, the hand can be used like a knife. But this method doesn't work with a tomato." That was the opening line for the 1978 Ginsu Knives infomercial, one of the first, and most famous, 2-minute infomercials ever made. Ed Valenti, the man behind the marketing, coined the catchphrase, "But wait, there's more!"


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LinksList Documentid: 30140213
ShamWow!
Inside Infomercials
The big business of infomercials. Scientific strategy and sales pitch combine to entice you to buy. An industry that made Ginsu, ShamWow! and Snuggie household names and also made stars out of inventors.


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Snuggie
Snuggie
If you've ever seen a product and said, "Geez, I could have thought of that!" you must have seen the Snuggie. The Snuggie blanket-with-sleeves has sold millions and is a fixture in American popular culture.


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  • Snuggie Pub Crawl 

    From the streets of San Francisco to the subways of New York, partiers don their Snuggie.

Buyer Beware!
Infomercials... products that promise the near impossible. But, do they deliver? Before you buy, watch the Popular Mechanics guy, Harry Sawyers, and Darren Rovell test some of today's top sellers. We won't charge you shipping and handling...


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Product Man vs. Pitch Man
Inventor Ron Popeil and the late pitchman Billy Mays talk about their lives beyond the products they sell.


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SHOW TIMES



» Watch the Show

SHOW HOST


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LATEST SPORTS BIZ BLOG


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    • Curt Schilling’s Videogame Company Goes Bust 24 May 2012

        Former major league pitcher Curt Schilling has laid off the entire staff that formed his videogame company, 38 Studios, just months after the company designed its first game.

    • Collectors Wary Of Investing In Josh Hamilton 22 May 2012

        Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton is having an incredible season, leading the American League in average, home runs and RBI. Despite Hamilton’s tear, which included a four home run game on May 8, collectors aren’t exactly fighting for the centerfielder’s memorabilia.

    • Sergio Tacchini, Djokovic Shockingly Part Ways 22 May 2012

        In November of 2009, Novak Djokovic signed a 10-year apparel deal with Sergio Tacchini, as his former sponsor adidas put its money in Andy Murray. It was a huge coup for the brand, who once had Pete Sampras and John McEnroe, but hadn’t been able to find relevance.

WHAT IS THE BEST CATCHPHRASE?

Take our PollPoll
Popular infomercials have produced memorable catchphrases. What’s your favorite?


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