Key differences between TV home shopping networks and social media live commerce
1. Direction of Communication: One-Way vs. Two-Way
The most fundamental difference lies in how the host and the audience interact.
- TV Home Shopping: This is primarily a one-way broadcast. While you can call a phone number to place an order, there is no real-time dialogue between the viewer and the host. The host follows a scripted pitch, and the audience watches passively.
- Social Media Live Commerce: This is a two-way conversation.2 Viewers use a live chat to ask questions like “Can you show the inside of the bag?” or “How does the fabric feel?” The host can respond instantly, demonstrating specific features based on real-time feedback.3
2. Friction in the Buying Process
How a customer moves from “wanting” to “owning” is handled very differently across these mediums.
- TV Networks: To buy, you usually have to pick up a phone or visit a separate website to enter your details.












