Home Shopping Network (HSN) and Quality, Value, Convenience (QVC) were responsible for a historic change in American consumer habits, and have become as much a feature of television as religious channels. These two cable television channels feature live broadcasts of themed sales presentations, 24 hours per day, during which viewers can call a toll-free telephone number, speak with the presenters live on the air, and order the products.

Home Shopping Network got its start in 1977 when a Clearwater, Florida, radio station agreed to accept an advertiser's merchandise in lieu of payment of an overdue bill. Saddled with 112 electric can openers, the station manager offered them for sale on the air. When they sold out instantly and callers clamored for other products, he established a regularly scheduled radio show called Suncoast Bargaineers. In 1981, the show moved to a local access cable channel in a...