You streamings have revolutionized the way we consume content, with all you need to do is open the catalog of online platforms to access countless films, series and music. Consequently, the streaming considerably reduced the sale of CDs and DVDs, devaluing and almost putting an end to physical content.
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However, with digital platforms removing several titles from their catalogs to save money, the return of physical media could happen quickly. Last year, Netflix announced that it would end its DVD rental service. On November 1st of this year, the Netflix rental website became an interactive in memoriam page.
The platform's decision came after a series of drops in revenue from this Netflix division. The amount raised from title rentals increased from US$1 billion in 2012 to US$146 million in 2022, as announced by The Hollywood Reporter.
DVDs and CDs guarantee content to fans
A Netflix was not the only one to leave the DVD rental market. Ingran Entertainment, which was once the largest DVD distributor in the United States, announced its exit from the market in September this year. Then Best Buy, the largest electronics retailer in the US, announced in October that it will stop selling DVDs and Blu-rays by the end of 2023.
However, the new wave of exclusion of several titles on streaming platforms could cause physical media to make a comeback. Recently, HBO Max, Disney+ and Paramount+ announced the removal of titles from the catalog, in addition to the cancellation and exclusion of productions to save money.
With this decision, consumers are left without access to content, which may result in CDs and DVDs returning sooner than expected. One of the main supporters of physical media is director Christopher Nolan. He recently reported that he is planning to create a physical version of Oppenheimer so that “no evil streaming service can take it away from you.”
Increase in CD sales
A report from the Recording Industry Association of America, released in the middle of the year, announced that streaming represents 84% of the sector's revenue musical. However, the survey also showed that the sale of CDs increased.
“The new data also shows the lasting power of physical formats. Physical revenues reached their highest level in a decade, exceeding 880 million dollars so far this year,” said Mitch Glazier, CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America.