What do you think would happen if Beta didn't become the dominant home video format over VHS?
I think we are ignoring the major factor that doomed VHS.
Their attempt to be the family friendly format.
VHS, forbid anything that was harder then PG 13 from being used on their platform, and PG 13 movies and TV shows had to cleared. I think that decision was what really destroyed their chances against Betamax instead of the other stuff.
I actually had an aunt and uncle get divorced over this. She wanted to buy a VHS because it was cheaper and they were on a fixed income. He absolutely insisted on BETA and spouted off about better quality and all of that. She finally relented and two months later she found his massive collection of porno flicks.