[merylsilverburg]

Well animes, while becoming popular, are still pretty much seen nowhere when it comes to TV or some video stores. I'm not too sure about TV, but I do know that on this one channel called "TechTV" they'll be showing animes daily starting December 30. I think there are other channels, but I don't know the names. Other people might be able to help you.

As for video stores, my local Blockbuster is actually getting in a lot of animes. For example, they have on their new releases: Sakura Wars OVA 2, Excel Saga, ROLW (Record of Lodoss War), Z.O.E, and many more, including Akira and Evangelion and such.
I think the amount of animes in the video stores in your town or area depends on how popular anime is over there. If it's not too popular, then they might not ship many animes in. Where I live, it's a campus town, so there are many international students and all so they spread the word about anime and its popularity quickly grows around here.
However, there are many great animes that are not exactly for rental. Series such as Cowboy Bebop or Rurouni Kenshin are nowhere on the shelves. It's easier for them to just stock short series (like 1 or 2 VHS or 1 DVD) or movies.

So, I don't know what else to tell you since those are the only things I know. Hopefully someone else here might be able to help you and answer some questions I was unable to.