Best Buy will stop selling physical DVDs and Blu-rays in stores after the holiday season. The way of watching movies has changed significantly over the last few decades. This change will help Best Buy to have more space and opportunity to bring customers new and innovative tech for them to explore, discover and enjoy, according to a report by CBC.
While the decision has shocked many, industry experts believe it was expected due to the rise of streaming services during the pandemic. “The film industry is already showing that especially after the pandemic that releasing films directly to streaming services like Netflix rather than even theatrical releases was a great way to reach the audience,” says Chalie Egleston, Program Coordinator of Advanced Filmmaking course in Fanshawe.
“If anything the streaming service approach to distributing movies is going to be far more efficient than the old way of distributing on DVD for home use.”
As a surprise for many, small businesses are seeing a rise in sale of physical discs. According to a statement given through email, Jumbo Video Microplay store’s officials say due to the rise in prices of streaming services and the fact that there are so many of them, they have seen a rise in sales of movies as people are trying to go back to old ways of watching movies for cheaper.
Egleston says, “There are a lot of people who love having DVDs and Blu-rays. DVDs and Blu-rays will always have a place just like VHS tapes as people have a lot of nostalgia attached to having these physical objects and people who like to collect things will never want to miss the feeling of putting their discs on bookshelves.”
“It’s a bittersweet moment for those of us who love to collect physical copies of our favourite films. There’s something special about owning a Blu-ray or DVD and having a physical collection. While Best Buy is stopping selling these, I hope that these will remain forever,” says a movie collector.
While Best Buy is a big name that has made this decision, physical movies can still be bought from other stores for the time being. The situation is in a pendulum with movie enthusiasts switching between streaming services and physical discs, for many the nostalgia will remain forever.
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