| File:Moviefone logo.png | |
| Founded | 1989 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States |
| Services | Online media, movie theatre information, movie tickets |
| Parent | Born in Cleveland LLC |
| Website | 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.
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.[citation needed] Leatherman provided the voice of "Mr. Moviefone" for the automated phone service.[citation needed] 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.[2][3] The acquisition was completed on May 21, 1999.[4][5]
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.[6] However, in 2012, Moviefone announced a partnership with MovieTickets.com's rival Fandango.[7][8]
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.[9]
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.[10]
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.[11][12]
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.[13] Made in Hollywood Producer Cleveland O’Neal III purchased Moviefone out of bankruptcy in March 2020 via his holding company, Born in Cleveland LLC.[14]
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.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "AOL buys MovieFone". CNN. February 1, 1999. https://money.cnn.com/1999/02/01/deals/moviefone/?iid=EL. 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.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "America Online, Inc. Completes Acquisition of MovieFone, Inc." (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.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "Press release". MovieTickets.com. 2004. Archived from the original on February 16, 2017. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Verrier, Richard (May 23, 2012). "Fandango and Moviefone dial up new partnership". Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-fandango-20120523,0,812900.story. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
- ↑ Shaw, Lucas (May 23, 2012). "Fandango and Moviefone partner for ticket sales". Reuters. http://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/-/world/13767140/fandango-and-moviefone-partner-for-ticket-sales/. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
- ↑ Barnes, Brooks (February 23, 2014). "Moviefone Is Hanging Up, but Its App Will Go On". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/24/business/media/moviefone-is-hanging-up-but-its-app-will-go-on.html?rref=business&module=Ribbon&version=context®ion=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Business%20Day&pgtype=Blogs. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
- ↑ Barnes, Brooks (May 5, 2014). "Moviefone will add broadcast and on-demand TV information". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/05/business/media/moviefone-will-add-broadcast-and-on-demand-tv-information.html?rref=business/media&module=Ribbon&version=context®ion=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Media&pgtype=article. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
- ↑ Ben Fritz (April 5, 2018). "Upstart MoviePass to Join With Cinema Service Moviefone". Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/upstart-moviepass-to-join-with-cinema-service-moviefone-1522930504/. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
- ↑ Carr, Flora (April 5, 2018). "MoviePass Just Bought Moviefone. Here's What It Means for Moviegoers". Fortune. http://fortune.com/2018/04/05/moviepass-buys-moviefone/. 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.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Spangler, Todd (March 25, 2020). "Meet Moviefone’s New Owner: ‘Made in Hollywood’ Producer Cleveland O’Neal III" (in en). Variety. https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/moviefone-acquired-made-in-hollywood-cleveland-oneal-iii-1203544762/. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
External links[]
- No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.
- "777-FILM". Moviefone.com.
{{cite web}}: List of U.S. states with Moviefone local numbers.
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