Decades ago, if you wanted to watch Columbo, you watched it when it aired. Then Sony invented the Betamax, a machine that let you record TV and watch it whenever you wanted. Sony’s chief called it “time shifting.” American TV studios called it theft. 

Universal and Disney sued Sony, and the fight went all the way to the Supreme Court, with a surprise cameo from Mr. Rogers along the way. Today, we’re still arguing over who is responsible for what people do with a new technology.

Jacob and Robert tell the story of how the Sony Betamax beat Universal Studios, and then ultimately lost to a rival format – the VHS. 

Research for this episode comes from:

Fast Forward: Hollywood, the Japanese, and the VCR Wars, by James Lardner 

“The Story of Sony v. Universal Studios: Mary Poppins Meets the Boston Strangler,” by Jessica Litman

Made in Japan: Akio Morita and Sony, by Akio Morita, Edwin M. Reingold, and Mitsuko Shimomura

Connect with us:
Follow Business History on Instagram and TikTok
Follow Jacob Goldstein on LinkedIn, X and Instagram 
Follow Robert Smith on Instagram and X
Email us at businesshistory@pushkin.fm 
Follow Pushkin on Instagram, LinkedIn and X 
To listen to the show ad free, sign up for Pushkin+ 

Decades ago, if you wanted to watch Columbo, you watched it when it aired. Then Sony invented the Betamax, a machine that let you record TV and watch it whenever you wanted. Sony&rsquo;s chief called it &ldquo;time shifting.&rdquo; American TV studios called it theft.&nbsp;
Universal and Disney sued Sony, and the fight went all the way to the Supreme Court, with a surprise cameo from Mr. Rogers along the way. Today, we&rsquo;re still arguing over who is responsible for what people do with a new technology.
Jacob and Robert tell the story of how the Sony Betamax beat Universal Studios, and then ultimately lost to a rival format &ndash; the VHS.&nbsp;
Research for this episode comes from:
Fast Forward: Hollywood, the Japanese, and the VCR Wars, by James Lardner&nbsp;
&ldquo;The Story of Sony v. Universal Studios: Mary Poppins Meets the Boston Strangler,&rdquo; by Jessica Litman
Made in Japan: Akio Morita and Sony, by Akio Morita, Edwin M. Reingold, and Mitsuko Shimomura
Connect with us:
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It’s the history of business. How did Hitler’s favorite car become synonymous with hippies? What got Thomas Edison tangled up with the electric chair? Did someone murder the guy who invented the movies? Former Planet Money hosts Jacob Goldstein and Robert Smith examine the surprising stories of businesses big and small and find out what you can learn from those who founded them.

It&rsquo;s the history of business. How did Hitler&rsquo;s favorite car become synonymous with hippies? What got Thomas Edison tangled up with the electric chair? Did someone murder the guy who invented the movies? Former Planet Money hosts Jacob Goldstein and Robert Smith examine the surprising stories of businesses big and small and find out what you can learn from those who founded them.

Business History

Hollywood vs. the VCR

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a9f17a5e-bf2f-4fc4-b598-b4fe01645b69/transcript