It started with radio.
My mom, now deceased, was born in 1924.
She told us that they used to have radio shows, stories, mystery theater, with sound effects and everything. The whole family would sit around the radio on Saturday night and listen to the stories. They were hooked. Before that, all they had were stage plays and skits that were performed. Or reading out loud to each other. Stories were very descriptive. People love to be entertained.