Bob Circosta

Bob Circosta is an American businessman and television host. He is television's first ever home shopping host and has achieved over one billion dollars in personal product sales on live television. His offices are in Clearwater, Florida, just a few miles from the Home Shopping Network (HSN)'s corporate building. Circosta is considered one of the pioneers of the home shopping industry.

Back in 1977 Circosta hosted a Florida-based radio talk-show, and an advertiser had plenty of products to sell –- avocado-green-colored can openers –- but lacked the funds to purchase any airtime. As a favor to station owner Bud Paxson, Circosta started selling these products for $9.95 over the airwaves... and both men were stunned by the audience response. Within the hour, Circosta's listeners purchased every last can opener left in the studio.

Recognizing the vast sales potential, Paxson then founded a local home shopping cable station, and later launched nationwide with the Home Shopping Network (HSN). Bob Circosta was their first ever home shopping host, also becoming one of the world's most prolific, most identifiable salesmen in the process. HSN was the first home shopping network in America and the beginning of the electronic retailing industry, one that now includes such influential companies as QVC, Amazon.com, and eBay.