Posted by Derek Janssen on 08/03/07 21:12

Bill Vermillion wrote:
>
> Actually the first VHS/Beta features for sale were in the $50 and
> up price range. And I saw one 3 tape package in a Beta format
> that was about $90, where it only took 2 tapes for VHS.
>
> That was from Magnetic Video - and I have about 3 original VHS
> Magnetic Video tapes.
>
> MV's owner had an idea that people might buy feature films, and he
> worked a deal with 20Th Century Fox to lease 50 titles. This was
> an experiment as many thought no one would buy them.
>
> But, the experiment proved wildly successful and the movies
> on VHS/BETA formats quickly expanded.

And what was the very first national rental chain?
<Jeopardy theme>
....Fotomat.

Since there were no licensed video dealers, camera and laserdisk
specialty stores were the first to bring home video to the suburbs, and
with a week's mail-order notice, your local Fotomat kiosk was happy to
drive-up rent you a copy of "Superman" for $14.95 per week, or sell it
for $75.

Derek Janssen
ejanss@comcast.net

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