DVD lovers around the world may be horrified by the news that DVDs may no longer be available for purchase among certain retail chains.
Best Buy has recently announced that at the beginning of 2024, they will no longer be selling physical copies of DVDs, citing the turn to streaming as the reason for the move.
“To state the obvious, the way we watch movies and TV shows is much different today than it was a few decades ago,” Best Buy released in a statement. “Making this change gives us more space and opportunity to bring customers new and innovative tech for them to explore, discover and enjoy.”
Netflix has already been the first company to stop selling DVDs. Even Disney has stopped creating them in Australia, leading to a larger questioning of whether other retailers may take a similar course of action to Best Buy. As of now, no other retailer has signaled that they plan to stop selling DVDs.
So, is this the end of the line for DVDs? Many don’t believe that’s the case, in part due to those that have a craving for nostalgia or who enjoy collecting.
Collectors and nostalgists are one of the reasons why you can still find and purchase vinyl records, which can be bought in retail stores like Walmart. They can also be credited for helping keep physical newspapers alive as the world becomes more digitized.
Another reason DVDs are likely not going away is because there is no other physical form being created to replace them. The reason many items have been discontinued has been due to another item replacing it.
As DVD collector Gavin Herbert told Business Insider, “There’s nothing quite like holding a film in your hands. It’s equivalent to a novel versus an e-book.”
While the market for DVDs continues to dwindle, those who love watching them can only hope that the predictions are right and that they can stand through these difficult times for the industry.
