ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 23, exactly 100 days prior to the beginning of the new millennium, Home Shopping Network (HSN) will uphold its title as ``the exclusive direct response television retailer for Times Square 2000, The Global Celebration at the Crossroads of the World'' by holding a television special at 11 p.m. ET to unveil exciting new licensed Times Square 2000 products and a once-in-a-lifetime sweepstakes in which 3 winners and their guests will be in Times Square for the famous New Year's Eve Ball Lowering event. HSN footage from last year's live Times Square coverage will also be featured during the show.

Up until and including New Year's Eve, HSN will continue its special milestone millennium countdown programming, generating excitement and preparing viewers for this monumental occasion by offering new licensed ``must- have'' Times Square 2000 merchandise. In addition to its September 23rd show, HSN will present television specials on: October 18 (75 days), November 12 (50 days), December 7 (25 days), December 12 (20 days), and December 22 (10 days). HSN will ultimately broadcast live from Times Square and the most famous New Year's Eve party in the world on December 31, 1999.

HSN's exclusive Times Square 2000 merchandise line-up includes: a Champagne Glass Pin, Champagne Bottle Pin and a Sterling Silver ``Small World'' Charm Bracelet (exclusive configuration), all designed by jewelry designer Victoria Wieck. Additional merchandise available on HSN includes a Times Square 2000 Plate, Times Square Limoge Boxes, a Champagne Bottle Pendant, an Hourglass Pendant, a Fireball Necklace and Fireball Earrings and Times Square 2000 T-shirts.

To further add to the excitement of this historic event, HSN will award 3 trips for two to New York City to see the historic Times Square Ball Lowering for the last time this millennium. The winners will also receive roundtrip airfare to New York City for two; a 5-day/4-night stay at Times Square's DoubleTree Guest Suites for two; two tickets to the Times Square 2000 Gala Celebration on New Year's Eve; two tickets to a Broadway show; $1000 spending money; and a gift basket filled with Times Square 2000 memorabilia.

Viewers can call Home Shopping Network at 1-800-284-3100 for more information and to order Times Square 2000 merchandise.

Home Shopping Network (www.hsn.com; Nasdaq: USAi - news), pioneered the electronic retailing industry in 1977. Its live 24-hour programming reaches more than 70 million U.S. households through broadcast, cable and satellite dishes. HSN continued its tradition of innovation in 1998 with the launch of Short Shopping, a division which produces direct selling commercials for various broadcasting partners. The Company holds interests in shopping channels in Germany and Japan; and produces Home Shopping en Espanol, a joint venture with Univision. HSN has been designated the official electronic retailer Times Square 2000.