Moviefone
Moviefone is an American-based moving pictures listing and information service. Moviegoers can obtain local showtimes, cinema information, film reviews, and advance tickets, as well as TV content and a comprehensive search tool that allows users to find theaters, channels, and streaming services offering movies and television shows.[1] The service is owned by Born in Cleveland LLC, Cleveland O’Neal III's holding company. O’Neal is creator and producer of Made in Hollywood syndicated daytime entertainment show.
Founded | 1989 |
---|---|
Headquarters | United States |
Services | Online media, movie theatre information, movie tickets |
Parent | Born in Cleveland LLC |
Website | moviefone |
History
In 1989, Russ Leatherman, Rob Gukeisen, Andrew Jarecki, Pat Cardamone, and Adam Slutsky launched the interactive telephone service, with initial service in Los Angeles and New York City.[2] Leatherman provided the voice of "Mr. Moviefone" for the automated phone service.[3] After gaining popularity, the service later expanded across the United States and eventually adopted an online presence as Moviefone.com.
In 1999, AOL purchased Moviefone for $388 million.[4][5] The acquisition was completed on May 21, 1999.[6][7]
In 2001, Moviefone entered into a partnership with MovieTickets.com that crosslinked their ticketing offerings; by 2004, Moviefone's online arm was acquired outright by MovieTickets.com.[8] However, in 2012, Moviefone announced a partnership with MovieTickets.com's rival Fandango.[9][10]
On February 23, 2014, it was reported that Moviefone would be shutting down its call-in service and its "777-FILM" phone number, but would maintain its mobile app services.[11]
On May 5, 2014, Moviefone was relaunched with a new look, an expansion into TV content, and a comprehensive search tool that allows users to find theaters, channels, and streaming services offering movies and television shows.[12]
On April 5, 2018, Helios and Matheson Analytics, the majority owner of the movie ticketing service MoviePass, announced the acquisition of Moviefone from Oath Inc. for $1 million in cash and $8 million in stock.[13][14]
In early 2020, the company's parent company went bankrupt and it was reported that it was being run by just a single employee. The company was worth just $4,379,504, or about 1% of the 388 million when it was purchased by AOL.[15] Made in Hollywood Producer Cleveland O’Neal III purchased Moviefone out of bankruptcy in March 2020 via his holding company, Born in Cleveland LLC.[16]
In popular culture
In the Seinfeld episode The Pool Guy, the character Cosmo Kramer receives misdialed calls meant for Moviefone after getting a new phone number.
References
- "About Moviefone". Moviefone.com. Archived from the original on 2019-07-10. Retrieved 2019-10-12.
- Goldsmith, Jill; Goldsmith, Jill (2020-03-20). "Moviefone Sold For $1M, MoviePass Next On Block As Bankrupt Parent Dismantled". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
- "Moviefone voice: 'I'm not bummed' that phone service is ending". TODAY.com. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
- "AOL buys MovieFone". CNN. February 1, 1999. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
- "America Online to Acquire MovieFone, Inc., Nation's No. 1 Movie Listing and Ticketing Company". Business Wire. Berkshire Hathaway. February 1, 1999. Archived from the original on May 28, 2013. Retrieved June 28, 2019 – via TheFreeDictionary.com.
- "America Online, Inc. Completes Acquisition of MovieFone, Inc". Business Wire (Press release). Berkshire Hathaway. May 21, 1999.
- "America Online, Inc. Completes Acquisition of MovieFone, Inc". warnermediagroup.com. May 21, 1999. Archived from the original on August 24, 2019. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
- "Press release". MovieTickets.com. 2004. Archived from the original on February 16, 2017. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
- Verrier, Richard (May 23, 2012). "Fandango and Moviefone dial up new partnership". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
- Shaw, Lucas (May 23, 2012). "Fandango and Moviefone partner for ticket sales". Reuters. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
- Barnes, Brooks (February 23, 2014). "Moviefone Is Hanging Up, but Its App Will Go On". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 20, 2019. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
- Barnes, Brooks (May 5, 2014). "Moviefone will add broadcast and on-demand TV information". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
- Ben Fritz (April 5, 2018). "Upstart MoviePass to Join With Cinema Service Moviefone". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on June 20, 2019. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
- Carr, Flora (April 5, 2018). "MoviePass Just Bought Moviefone. Here's What It Means for Moviegoers". Fortune. Archived from the original on July 9, 2018. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
- Spangler, Todd (2020-02-15). "Moviefone, Worth 1% of Its Former Value, Is Being Run by One Employee After Parent Company's Bankruptcy". Variety. Archived from the original on 2020-02-15. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
- Spangler, Todd (March 25, 2020). "Meet Moviefone's New Owner: 'Made in Hollywood' Producer Cleveland O'Neal III". Variety. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
External links
- Official website
- "777-FILM". Moviefone.com. List of U.S. states with Moviefone local numbers.