For millions of moviegoers in the ’90s, Moviefone’s 777-FILM number was the go-to source for learning about showtimes. Now, under new ownership, Moviefone is trying to make a comeback.
On Friday, as part of its 35th anniversary celebration, Moviefone announced the relaunch of its mobile app and a new nationally syndicated broadcast TV series.
Set to launch in private beta this month, the new app is designed to enhance the current web experience, allowing mobile users to search for showtimes and tickets for the latest releases, discover trending movies and TV shows, as well as access Moviefone’s original video content, including celebrity interviews, behind-the-scenes content, reviews, and more. The public app launch is set for this summer.
Moviefone TV, meanwhile, is the company’s effort to grow the original media offering of its business by bringing its entertainment content to different TV stations across the U.S.
After debuting in 1989, Moviefone later became a popular online ticket seller and movie information brand before websites like MovieTickets.com and Fandango.com even existed. It went through a few acquisitions, getting snapped up by AOL in 1999, and much later, the original parent company of MoviePass, Helios and Matheson Analytics, which went bankrupt in 2020.
That’s when Cleveland O’Neal, TV producer and the creator of daytime entertainment show “Made in Hollywood,” stepped in to lead a revival.
The forthcoming app signals that Moviefone is attempting to stay relevant as it caters to a new generation of digital-first movie lovers. As 80% of Moviefone’s audience is aged between 18-44, the company says this calls for the development of an app to compete effectively in the market.
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The company’s weekly TV series airs this fall, but it hasn’t yet shared which stations it’ll be available on. (That will depend on the market.) There is a possibility that the show could be broadcast on the same networks as “Made in Hollywood,” which has a deal with CBS.
Given the continued declining popularity of traditional television, though, Moviefone TV also plans to launch on undisclosed streaming platforms and free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) services.
Notably, it also plans to bring on social media influencers to appear on the show to draw in younger viewers.
It’s uncertain if this will truly mark Moviefone’s comeback, but it will be interesting to see how the company approaches it. The resurgence of moviegoing in theaters post-pandemic suggests that people may be nostalgic enough to check out its relaunched app.
