Below is a timeline for every notable event in the history of movies in the home (with more being added). It should be noted that this website uses the term, “Home Video,” in two different ways. Firstly, it uses it as an umbrella term for the viewing of movies in the home, physical or otherwise. Secondly, its also the label given to the era in time where movies are being released on physical video formats.
June, 1977
Time-Life Makes Available BBC Programs On Betamax
Time-Life adds BBC programs to their video catalog.
July, 1977
Magnetic Video Licenses 50 Titles From 20th Century Fox
In July of 1977 commercial tape duplicator Andre Blay closed a deal with 20th Century Fox to license 50 titles from their library for $6000 each. The success that followed would send shockwaves throughout the video industry.
August 23rd, 1977
RCA Announces the Selectavision VHS VCR
RCA reveals to the media that they would be releasing a VHS VCR under their Selectavision moniker. Manufacturing is already underway.
October, 1977
RCA Selelctavision VBT-200 (VHS)
The very first VHS VCR hits the American market in the form of the RCA Selectavision VBT-200.
October, 1977
Blackhawk Films Add Betamax Videocassettes to Their Catalog
Prestigious home movies distributor, Blackhawk Films, begins to offer Betamax videocassettes after 50 years of only dealing in film. The move is their attempt to adapt to the changing market.
October, 1977
Magnetic Video Titles Reach Retail Stores
Magnetic Video’s line of 20th Century Fox titles are made available to the public via retail outlets such as electronic and record stores. They cost $49.95.
October, 1977
Quality X Releases Adult Titles On Betamax and VHS
Quality X forms to distribute adult titles on the new Beta/VHS formats. First advertises this month in Al Goldstein’s Screw magazine.
November, 1977
Magnetic Video Forms the Video Club of America
The Video Club of America offers a mail order delivery service of discounted cassettes (20% off) upon paying a $10 membership fee. They first advertise in The New York Times on November 20th.
November 26th, 1977
Magnetic Video Advertises in TV Guide With Massive Success
Magnetic Video advertises a 2-page advertisement for the Video Club of America in TV Guide, costing the company $30,000. The campaign is wildly successful, generating over $140,000 in orders and club subscription fees after just a few days.
December, 1977
George Atkinson Creates the First Video Rental Storefront
Atkinson opens “Video Cassette Rentals” in Los Angeles, the first brick and mortar video rental shop in the country. First Advertised on December 6th in The Los Angeles Times, the store opens with both 1/2″ and 3/4″ formats. According to Atkinson, the store opens with both VHS and Betamax versions of the Magnetic Video catalog.
February, 1978
MEDA Media-Home Entertainment Is Announced
Filmmaker Charles Band announces MEDA, an acronym which stands for “Media-Home Entertainment Distribution Association.” The new home video label will specialize in distributing independent films and other programs on VHS and Betamax. Their first two titles, Flesh Gordon and Alice in Wonderland, are announced the following month.
July, 1978
Allied Artists Announces a Home Video Division
With over 500 titles in their catalog and a bankruptcy looming on the horizon, Allied Artists decides to jump into the home video market. They become the very first studio to first distribute their titles through their own home video division.
December 15th, 1978
Magnavox Magnavision HR-8000 / Discovision (Laserdisc)
MCA and Philips do a soft launch of the Magnavox Magnavision HR-8000 Laserdisc (or laservision) player ($695). Its only made available at three authorized retailers in Atlanta, Georgia. Whereas Philips supplied the players (through their American subsidiary, Magnavox), MCA supplied the initial 72 Discovision discs.
January, 1979 (Billboard, 1979/01/27, p. 3)
Abkco Music Sues MEDA for Infringement
Abkco Music files a copyright infringement suit against M.E.D.A. (Media Home Entertainment), claiming a videocassette entitled The Rolling Stones in Concert includes music that wasn’t licensed. The judge issues a writ of seizure order for all masters and videocassette copies. This marks the very first time where a music company sought legal action against a home video distributor.
February 5th, 1979
The First Videocassette Collectors Event is Held
Videocassette collectors gather at a Ramada Inn in Freemont, OH for the first annual Video Collectors of Ohio event. It is regarded as the first event dedicated to the swapping and duping of videocassettes. Because prerecorded videocassettes were just taking off with only a few titles legitimately released, collectors resorted to trading (mainly on the Betamax format).
May, 1979 (Billboard, 1979/03/08, p. 18)
The First Video Shack Opens In New York City
Theater owner, Arthur Morowitz, opens his first Video Shack store in Manhattan, NY, at the corner of 49th and Broadway. It becomes an iconic NY fixture during the 1980s. Its believed to be the first video specialty store to only sell videocassettes.
May, 1979
Philips VR2020 (VCC or Video 2000)
The Video 2000 format is launched by Philips and Grundig to compete with the VHS and Beta formats. It’s only ever distributed in Europe, South Africa and Argentina. Prerecorded movies are made available. Discontinued in 1989.
June, 1979
Paramount Enters the Home Video Market Through Fotomat
Still skeptical of the home video market, Paramount decides to license its films for videocassette rental through Fotomat, a nationwide photo development chain.