Movie rentals mail

The nostalgia! Here's a rundown of movie rentals by mail:

History

Movie rentals by mail, also known as video rental services, emerged in the 1980s. The first service was MovieMail, launched in 1986 by a company called MovieMail, Inc. The concept quickly gained popularity, and by the early 1990s, several major players entered the market.

Popular Services

  1. Blockbuster: Founded in 1985, Blockbuster was one of the largest and most well-known video rental chains. They introduced a mail-order service in the late 1990s, allowing customers to rent movies by mail.
  2. Netflix: Founded in 1997, Netflix initially offered a DVD rental service by mail. In 2007, they shifted their focus to streaming content, but the DVD rental service remained available until 2011.
  3. Hollywood Video: Founded in 1985, Hollywood Video was another major video rental chain that offered a mail-order service.
  4. Movie Gallery: Founded in 1985, Movie Gallery was a video rental chain that also offered a mail-order service.

How it Worked

Here's a general overview of how movie rentals by mail worked:

  1. Subscription: Customers would sign up for a subscription service, which often came with a monthly fee.
  2. Movie Selection: Customers would browse a catalog of available movies, either online or through a printed catalog.
  3. Ordering: Customers would select the movies they wanted to rent and place an order.
  4. Shipping: The movies would be shipped to the customer's doorstep via mail.
  5. Return: Customers would return the movies in a pre-paid envelope or by dropping them off at a local store.
  6. Next Selection: The customer would receive a new selection of movies based on their preferences and viewing history.

Decline and Legacy

The rise of streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime led to a decline in the popularity of movie rentals by mail. Many of the major players, including Blockbuster and Hollywood Video, filed for bankruptcy or ceased operations. However, some smaller services still exist today, offering a nostalgic alternative to streaming.

The legacy of movie rentals by mail lies in its role in shaping the home entertainment industry. It allowed people to access a wide range of movies from the comfort of their own homes, paving the way for the streaming services we know today.