Sunday, July 31, 2022

Netflix DVD business needs to be preserved


Netflix still runs its legacy DVD-by-mail subscription service in the U.S., but it doesn’t promote it. The company has gone all in on streaming video as the future.
But Netflix’s DVD.com business has become more important to hardcore movie lovers as Hollywood content splinters among a multitude of streaming services. As long as top Hollywood movies are put out on physical media, the Netflix DVD business will provide a one-stop shop for all of those movies.
Meanwhile, many classic older films are not even available for streaming. Some are only available for digital purchase or per-title rental. And a significant number of titles aren’t available in any digital format online. But some of those works are still available on DVD from Netflix.
Last month, I highlighted the many classic movie musicals, film noir, exploitation films and other notable movies that aren’t available in any format online. Since then, I’ve watched several of those films that are available only on DVD from Netflix.
Just like vinyl LP records have found an audience in the streaming music age, there is a place for DVDs and Blu-ray Discs in the streaming video era.
Admittedly, the Netflix DVD business has been in a long, slow decline, given the company’s lack of advertising and marketing for it.
In the second quarter, Netflix’s DVD unit brought in $37 million in revenue, down 20% from the same quarter last year.

Photo by Linda Shortman via @momlovesfilm.

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