VHS came out in the mid-1970s.
So did the internet. And that was something that became a part of everybody's household right away too, you're right.

VHS came out in the mid-1970s.
No, it's not a fair guide. In 1979, there were no crappy downloadable cam versions that legions of people watch instead of going to the cinema... There wasn't even home video, so the only way to see TMP was in the cinema (and thereafter, hoping it would air on television in about 3 to 4 years at minimum)... Today, so many people will think: 'I'll check it out when it comes out on DVD/blu ray/ whatever'. I think when you take that into account, the whole 'unadjusted gross' check of films that were released prior to the home cinema age is very flawed...
Agreed. I think ST09 and STID gross can only be compared with any Trek movie from TUC/GENS onward.
In 1979-1989 the population was smaller but there was less channels on TV, no internet, no DVD, no Blu-Ray, no PPV, no piracy and movies made their money over several months rather than several weeks. I know VHS started coming in during the mid 80s but it was only in the early-mid 90s that they were in every household I think.
If there were more of the Admiral Buzzkill-type fans, this film wouldn't be where it is profit-wise. Unfortunately, there are not.
The film needs to make $380 million to be successful.
...I am rooting for all those Admiral Buzzkills that are out there...
Someone above had wrote that VHS started coming in sometime in the mid-1980s. I responded as I did.
The first commercial VHS recorder sold in the United States happen in 1977. In 1980, Paramount released the first episodes of TOS onto VHS. The major competitor to VHS was Beta-Max. By the mid-1980s, VHS had won the battle.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vhs
http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series_%28VHS%29
http://mroche.umwblogs.org/history-of-the-vhs/
A lot of us (like me) are old enough to remember how this actually went down. Just because VCRs existed in the late 70s doesn't mean a lot of people had them. It was the same with the first wave of home computers. They were pricey and there were only a small number of early-adopters.
VCRs didn't begin to get affordable until the early 80s, like 82-84. Also, commercial tapes were sold for $79+ in the early days. That was a lot of money then. The home video market only took off when the industry finally decided to lower prices to around $30. The video rental boom soon followed. Many films were held back from home video for a long time as well. Star Wars being the most famous example.
Why, do you get a share?Every million helps!![]()
Also, commercial tapes were sold for $79+ in the early days. That was a lot of money then. The home video market only took off when the industry finally decided to lower prices to around $30.
There was some piracy back then, but it didn't compare to the mass piracy you have now.
Star Trek was about characters being philosophical and exploring the human condition, using science that was credible - a criteria established by Roddenberry at the onset of the franchise, and solving issues through diplomacy and negotiation, and occasionally, with weapons.
The ability to download a good copy online has made piracy more widespread.If anything has changed today, it's just that the cost of making, keeping, and distributing good copies has dropped dramatically. What haven't changed are people's proclivities.
Star Trek was about characters being philosophical and exploring the human condition, using science that was credible
...a criteria established by Roddenberry at the onset of the franchise
...and solving issues through diplomacy and negotiation, and occasionally, with weapons.
The ability to download a good copy online has made piracy more widespread.If anything has changed today, it's just that the cost of making, keeping, and distributing good copies has dropped dramatically. What haven't changed are people's proclivities.
Yes, it's made watching movies on PC more widespread in general, but it's increased the level of piracy since a lot of people who wouldn't buy an illegal physical copy of a music CD or a movie on DVD will download an illegal copy given the ease and anonymity (or at least perceived anonymity). There's nothing vacuous about pointing that out.Well, the ability to watch movies on a PC has made watching movies on PC's more widespread, period. Your statement is about as vacuous as that.
We use essential cookies to make this site work, and optional cookies to enhance your experience.