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Because it was Sony and they do what they want. Betamax was their own and not subject to outsiders or their input. They didn't think anyone would top AFM stereo audio or Betascan & Betaskip, that their video quality didn't warrant the faster BI speed or that VHS would become the defacto home video standard. The Sony arrogance goes way back to before the U-Matic format even hit the drawing board when they thought they would lock in their own take on the EIAJ open reel format.
Sony did however rule the broadcast video world with the Betacam format and that outlived VHS by a decade. The Panasonic MII format video quality was superior to BetacamSP but it never gained the popularity despite being embraced by the ITV, NBC, some PBS and NHK for a time.
Honestly I don't know the *real* reason for the BII/III speeds and I'm sure there's plenty of speculation, I've had many Betamax decks over the years and wondered why myself.
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