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IMDb (short for Internet Movie Database) is an online database and news source devoted to movie, TV, and celebrity content. The Seattle-based company was founded by Col Needham, an English software engineer and film enthusiast, after he created the movie-listing software and posted it to a USENET film discussion group on October 17, 1990. After being cooperatively expanded by other users on the internet, IMDb was fully incorporated in 1996, with Needham taking on the role of CEO. IMDb is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Amazon, which acquired the company in 1998.
IMDb's line of products and services has expanded significantly since the 1990s. The website allows users to browse pages devoted to different movies and now includes detailed entries for TV shows and celebrities. IMDb is free to use with or without an IMDb account; however, users must register for a free account if they wish to contribute to pages on the site. IMDb can be accessed on desktop and mobile devices, the company's iOS and Android apps, and X-Ray on Amazon Prime Video, which allows viewers to access IMDb while watching a particular show on their TV. The website has also grown to offer a free streaming channel, IMDb TV, and produces original video series and podcasts.
IMDb also offers paid subscriptions for entertainment industry professionals. This includes IMDbPro, a paid subscription service for actors, directors, writers, crew members, and other people working in the entertainment industry. IMDbPro enables users to manage their own IMDb pages, as well as find contact information, get representation, and browse for job opportunities. IMDbPro also offers Box Office Mojo, a website that tracks box office revenue. The site was acquired by IMDb in 2008. IMDbPro is available for $19.99 a month, or can be purchased at a discounted rate annually for $149.99.