Tension between HSN and QVC comes to a head over 'condescending' email: Report

QVC and HSN are supposed to transform from longtime rivals to business sisters -- but that process has been muddied by an ill-advised email, according to Page Six.

Legacy HSN staffers are reportedly up in arms over recent email that issued a new set of "do's and don'ts" for the channel's on-camera personalities. Page Six reports that the email was sent by HSN on-air training manager Gordie Daniels, who, according to a rep, is not an executive.

"I want everyone to take the used car salesman, in-your-face delivery and throw it out if this pertains to you," Daniels wrote, also noting that HSN stars need to avoid making "false claims. Again, this is a new direction and we need to build credibility."

See photos from the early years of HSN and QVC:

Other guidelines seemed to take aim at the on-air guests' personal behavior, like "Act and carry yourself in a professional manner on and off air" and "Research your product."

The email was not well-received by HSN employees, some of whom have been with the network for decades: "Gordie, we have not met, but I must tell you in the 25 years in business, I never received nor have even seen a note as condescending and disrespectful as this," one emailed in response. Another replied that he or she was "in shock" by the contents of the message.

HSN launched in 1982, several years before QVC, but over the years, QVC has become the larger network. It acquired HSN in 2017.