Netflix, the popular streaming service, made its name in the early 2000s by sending DVDs by mail. However, with the advent of digital streaming, Netflix has been shifting away from physical media and toward streaming video. In recent years, the company has been slowly phasing out its DVD-by-mail service and, in 2021, the company finally announced that it would be ending the service altogether.
The decision to stop sending DVDs by mail may come as a surprise to some, but it is in line with the overall trend in the industry. Streaming services have become more popular, with customers preferring the convenience of instant access to content over waiting for a DVD to arrive in the mail. In addition, streaming services offer a wider selection of content, with many exclusive shows and movies that are not available on DVD.
In a statement, Netflix said that it would be ending its DVD-by-mail service in the United States on December 14th, 2022. This means that customers will no longer be able to rent DVDs from Netflix and will have to rely on other services or physical stores for their physical media needs. The company will continue to offer its streaming service, which has become its primary focus in recent years.
The move away from DVDs by mail has been a long time coming for Netflix. The company started as a DVD rental service in 1997 and added streaming to its platform in 2007. Since then, streaming has become the dominant way that people consume content, and Netflix has invested heavily in creating original programming to attract subscribers to its streaming service.
While the decision to end its DVD-by-mail service may be a disappointment to some longtime customers, the move makes sense for Netflix. By focusing on streaming, the company can continue to invest in original content and improve its platform, while reducing the costs and complexities associated with managing a physical media rental service.
Overall, the decision to stop sending DVDs by mail is a sign of the times. Streaming has become the dominant way that people consume content, and physical media is slowly becoming a thing of the past. While it may be sad to see the DVD-by-mail service come to an end, it is a natural progression for a company that has always been at the forefront of innovation in the entertainment industry.
