As seen on TV
Encyclopedia
As seen on TV is a nameplate for products advertised on television
in the United States
for direct-response mail-order through a toll-free telephone number
. Typically the packaging for these items includes a standardized red seal in the shape of a CRT television screen with the words "AS SEEN ON TV" in white, an intentional allusion to the logo of the ubiquitous TV Guide
magazine. The pervasive presence of "as seen on TV" products is the subject for much comedy on TV, often exaggerating the typical pitches of "as seen on TV" products. One such example of mockery is the fictional "Spishak" company, a series of sketches on MADtv
.
Prominent marketers of "as seen on TV" products include Time-Life
, Space Bag
, K-tel
, Ronco
, and Thane. There are also retail
brick-and-mortar and online stores that specifically sell As Seen on TV products.
As Seen On TV Products is a generic name attached to items that are advertised on television - either in 30 minute infomercial
spots or during commercial breaks. These products can range from kitchen
, household
, automotive, cleaning, health, and beauty products, to exercise & fitness products, book
s, or to toy
s and games for children.
As Seen On TV Products then moved on to sell on the internet in the late 1990s. The marketing arm of "As seen on TV" then moved on to retail according to A.J. Khubani, CEO of Telebrands
, who designed the logo.
The red logo and phrase is now part of public domain
and can be used on packaging or used in business without a fee or infringing on someone's trademark.
Companies that produce generic versions of As Seen on TV products may use a modified version of the red logo, their version displaying "Like on TV" or "As Seen on TV in some countries". But this Logo can be registered in some counties like trademark.
In Mexico the phrase "as seen on TV" is translated as "como lo vio en TV" (literally "as you saw it on TV")
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
for direct-response mail-order through a toll-free telephone number
Toll-free telephone number
A toll-free, Freecall, Freephone, 800, 0800 or 1-800 number is a special telephone number which is free to the calling party, and instead the telephone carrier charges the called party the cost of the call...
. Typically the packaging for these items includes a standardized red seal in the shape of a CRT television screen with the words "AS SEEN ON TV" in white, an intentional allusion to the logo of the ubiquitous TV Guide
TV Guide
TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
magazine. The pervasive presence of "as seen on TV" products is the subject for much comedy on TV, often exaggerating the typical pitches of "as seen on TV" products. One such example of mockery is the fictional "Spishak" company, a series of sketches on MADtv
MADtv
MADtv is an American sketch comedy television series. It licensed the name and logo of Mad, but otherwise had no connection with the humor magazine outside the animated Spy vs. Spy and Don Martin cartoon shorts and images of Alfred E. Neuman that the show featured during the late 1990s. Its first...
.
Prominent marketers of "as seen on TV" products include Time-Life
Time-Life
Time–Life is a creator and direct marketer of books, music, video/DVD, and multimedia products. Its products are sold throughout North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia through television, print, retail, the Internet, telemarketing, and direct sales....
, Space Bag
Space Bag
The Space Bag line of products are reusable vacuum-seal storage packs produced by ITW Space Bag. The Space Bag Brand is often promoted on television, utilizing two minute DRTV Spots demonstrating their ability to compress, protect, and organize one's bulkiest items through vacuum sealing.Recently,...
, K-tel
K-tel
K-tel International is an "As-Seen-On-TV" company, which is most noted for its compilation music albums, such as "The Super Hits" series, "The Dynamic Hits" series and "The Number One Hits" series...
, Ronco
Ronco
Ronco is an American company that manufactures and sells a variety of items and devices, most commonly those used in the kitchen. Ron Popeil founded the company in 1964, and commercials for the company's products soon became pervasive and memorable, in part thanks to Popeil's personal sales pitches...
, and Thane. There are also retail
Retail
Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be...
brick-and-mortar and online stores that specifically sell As Seen on TV products.
As Seen On TV Products is a generic name attached to items that are advertised on television - either in 30 minute infomercial
Infomercial
Infomercials are direct response television commercials which generally include a phone number or website. There are long-form infomercials, which are typically between 15 and 30 minutes in length, and short-form infomercials, which are typically 30 seconds to 120 seconds in length. Infomercials...
spots or during commercial breaks. These products can range from kitchen
Kitchen
A kitchen is a room or part of a room used for cooking and food preparation.In the West, a modern residential kitchen is typically equipped with a stove, a sink with hot and cold running water, a refrigerator and kitchen cabinets arranged according to a modular design. Many households have a...
, household
Household
The household is "the basic residential unit in which economic production, consumption, inheritance, child rearing, and shelter are organized and carried out"; [the household] "may or may not be synonymous with family"....
, automotive, cleaning, health, and beauty products, to exercise & fitness products, book
Book
A book is a set or collection of written, printed, illustrated, or blank sheets, made of hot lava, paper, parchment, or other materials, usually fastened together to hinge at one side. A single sheet within a book is called a leaf or leaflet, and each side of a leaf is called a page...
s, or to toy
Toy
A toy is any object that can be used for play. Toys are associated commonly with children and pets. Playing with toys is often thought to be an enjoyable means of training the young for life in human society. Different materials are used to make toys enjoyable and cuddly to both young and old...
s and games for children.
As Seen On TV Products then moved on to sell on the internet in the late 1990s. The marketing arm of "As seen on TV" then moved on to retail according to A.J. Khubani, CEO of Telebrands
Telebrands
Telebrands Corporation conducts direct response marketing. Ajit J. Khubani, its founder, is the current CEO. It is a New Jersey-based company that has introduced a number of "As Seen On TV" consumer products since 1983. Their first three short-form infomercials were for Easy Cycle, an ultrasonic...
, who designed the logo.
The red logo and phrase is now part of public domain
Public domain
Works are in the public domain if the intellectual property rights have expired, if the intellectual property rights are forfeited, or if they are not covered by intellectual property rights at all...
and can be used on packaging or used in business without a fee or infringing on someone's trademark.
Companies that produce generic versions of As Seen on TV products may use a modified version of the red logo, their version displaying "Like on TV" or "As Seen on TV in some countries". But this Logo can be registered in some counties like trademark.
In Mexico the phrase "as seen on TV" is translated as "como lo vio en TV" (literally "as you saw it on TV")