A precursor to the DVD, the LaserDisc emerged in the early ’80s. It offered a high-quality image (especially for the time); however, its price tag kept it from dominating the American market. Even so, it was popular enough to be in 2 percent of households in the 1990s. A favorite of film aficionados, LaserDiscs continued to be manufactured until January 2009. At that time, Pioneer, which had purchased a majority of the manufacturer's shares in the previous decade, killed off the product. After selling a total of 9.5 million discs worldwide, the company announced it would stop production.