USA Networks
Inc. plans to launch an online version of the network’s popular Home
Shopping Network by spring 1999.
Speaking at a meeting of Women In New Media in New York City, Alan
Citron, president of USA Networks Interactive (USANI), outlined plans for the
launch and said that an online discount mall also is in the works, with 30 to
50 merchants expected to participate from the start.
As head of USA Network’s Internet initiatives, Citron also serves as chairman
of TicketMaster Online-CitySearch.
Citron said USANI was created three months ago on the heels of TicketMaster’s
success, which first went online in November, 1996 and soon contributed 5% of
TicketMaster’s total sales. Presently, USANI consists of a handful of
sites, including firstauction.com,
USA Network.com and scifi.com.
Women in New Media was founded in 1995 as a non-profit organization for women
in the new media industry to provide a forum for professional growth, serve as
a catalyst for the enhancement and advancement of women in the industry,
and to promote philanthropic endeavors.