Netflix’s legacy DVD-by-mail rental business saw sales decline 20% in 2022 to $146 million. That’s slightly faster than the 19% sales declines it posted in 2021 and 2020.
The slow death of the company’s U.S.-only DVD business is not a surprise given that Netflix doesn’t promote the service. It merits just three quick mentions in the company’s annual report, filed Jan. 26 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Netflix’s DVD business is still important for movie lovers such as me. Some older movies are not available for streaming online from Netflix or elsewhere.
I recently watched the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “South Pacific” (1958) on Netflix DVD because the film isn’t available on subscription streaming services. It is available for online rental for $4, but those purchases add up.
Still, it’s only a matter of time before the Netflix DVD business closes shop. Fewer new movies are being released on DVD and older titles aren’t being reissued.
Photo: “South Pacific” (1958) on Netflix DVD (Patrick Seitz)
No comments:
Post a Comment