Shopping channel Create & Craft is understood to be on the brink of going into administration, a week after stopping new customer orders.
- It’s the second shopping channel to get into trouble this year.
- Broadcast slots on platforms including Freeview and Sky maintained by showing repeats.
- Suppliers expected to be hit by significant debts.
21 years after launching and two years after a change in ownership, Create and Craft faces an uncertain future.
The Oundle-based channel, which broadcasts on Freeview, Freesat, Sky satellite and Virgin Media, abruptly stopped taking customer orders a week ago. An on-screen banner (bottom of image above) warns viewers of the situation.
It has since been broadcasting recorded programmes, with conflicting reports on whether or not live programmes will resume.
Meanwhile, an insolvency practioner has been appointed as Director with a view of putting the operating company Hochanda Global into administration, unless there’s a last minute deal to save the business.
Create and Craft was originally a subsidary of the equally troubled Ideal World channel, but was bought by Hochanda in 2022, as part of an asset sell off by Ideal World’s former owners.
The potential end of Create and Craft continues a turbulent time for the TV shopping industry, which has seen numerous collapses in recent years, leaving customers and suppliers out of pocket.
Platform operators left with debts
The development comes months after the sudden closure of Seen On TV earlier this year. This already left suppliers with hundreds of thousands of pounds in debt. The channel, which was on air for only a few weeks is now in liquidation.
Arqiva, which provided the channel with Freeview and digital satellite television bandwidth, was left with £863,445 of debt. Everyone TV, which operates Freesat and other free TV platforms, was left nearly £56,000 out of pocket.
There’s fears the potential demise of Create and Craft will result in further losses for TV platform operators, further denting confidence in doing business with shopping channel operators.
Last year, Ideal World collapsed into administration, before the brand was bought by rival shopping channel owner TJC.
Retaining recorded programmes ensures Create and Craft’s channel slot on Freeview and Sky slot remains active, as they can be sold on to another broadcaster.
By: Marc Thornham | image: Screengrab – Create & Craft