Bid tv at 17

Live, seat of the pants telly, where things happen at the whim of the people working on the particular day rather than the homogeonised, corporate (automated) fare you get on most channels? I can't imagine why people interested in the geekier side of TV loved it. Much like how so many of us got interested in TV back in the day through the Broomcupboard being so unscripted and loose.

I used to enjoy watching the channel until it became all falling auctions.

The traditional auctions were much more interesting for a non-buyer to get into.

How different things could have turned out if everybody did Bid auctions in this style?


I wonder if that limited edition "Peter Simon figurine" they did to mark Simon's 10yrs at Bid has gone up in value and may we see it on the Antiques Roadshow in 20 years time?

Someone sold it for a profit on eBay in October.

Didn't Shopping Nation and at least two other services come from the old Sit-up studios at I think Acton? And they've all now either closed, failed or just vanished off the EPG? Are the studios now cursed?

Well the Shopping Nation website has now closed. Inevitable really - how many shopping channels survive as just a YouTube stream?

Some interesting stuff in the administrator's reports at Companies House for Sit-Up TV, in particular the "Statement of administrator's proposal" from 12th June 2014:
https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/03877786/filing-history

Looks like the company was in trouble long before it went under and the ill-fated "Bid at Home" rebrand was the last role of the dice so to speak.

I think everyone knew they were in trouble when they were reduced to selling crap like overpriced hand sanitisers!

I remember either watching Bid or Price-Drop on New Year's Eve, where it'd get even more random than usual.

Sit-Up's channels were pres heaven for anyone who wanted to see how live television was produced at a fast rate on a daily basis, but did I ever buy anything from them? No!

Tweets from Shopping Nation presenters...

Good morning Kate. There are some difficulties with Sky, I believe. I haven’t been in at Shopping Nation since the end of October. I will be popping in tomorrow. All the best for 2018. 🍾🍾🍾

— Debbie Greenwood (@DebGreenwoodTV) January 2, 2018

Happy New Year Zoe! I can’t wait to see what new tech you’ve got to show for 2018! The Retrak shows were such fun last year. It was a pleasure to work with you and @shabdamn.

— James Hall (@jameshall_uk) January 2, 2018

and so it begins the annual/daily search for freelance presenting work. #dontpanicmrmannering

— Nicola Kelleher (@nicolakelleher) January 2, 2018

Bugger! Just had some *very* disappointing news. Not the best way to start 2018!

— James Hall (@jameshall_uk) January 2, 2018

Seemingly the decision was made very quickly today...

Tweeted 24 minuets ago:

pic.twitter.com/3RDXR6Fd5H

— Shopping Nation (@shopping_nation) January 3, 2018