Breaking News: Major Retailer Set to Revolutionize Home Entertainment Market - Blu-ray & DVD Sales to Cease by 2024!

Summary

Best Buy will stop selling Blu-rays and DVDs in early 2024, both in-store and online. Physical copies of video games will still be sold, however.

Physical media provides better audio and visual quality compared to streaming, making it the optimal choice for prolonged access to movies and TV shows. Nevertheless, the sales of physical media have been decreasing for a significant period, leading to the potential withdrawal of more retailers from this sector in the coming years.

Best Buy has announced that it will no longer be selling movies and TV shows on Blu-ray and DVD starting in early 2024. This decision comes as a result of the declining market for physical media due to the popularity of streaming and video-on-demand platforms. Although some stores still have physical media sections, they have significantly reduced in size over the years.

According to The Digital Bits, Best Buy will be discontinuing the sale of Blu-rays and DVDs both in stores and online. However, the company will continue to sell physical copies of video games for the time being. A spokesperson from Best Buy confirmed this news to Variety in a statement.

What Does The Future Look Like For Physical Media?

Despite the ongoing decline of the physical media market, there remains a dedicated community of collectors worldwide. Unlike their digital counterparts, physical copies of movies and TV shows are not subject to compression, making them a preferable choice for those seeking the highest audio and picture quality on home viewing platforms, particularly with 4K UHD discs. Additionally, owning a physical copy ensures permanent ownership, unaffected by changes in licensing agreements that might limit access to digital versions.

Unfortunately, physical media continues to be the preferred way to enjoy movies at home. However, digital sales and streaming dominate the market due to their convenience and lower cost. While Amazon and Walmart are still popular sources for Blu-ray and DVDs, the number of retailers offering physical media is decreasing. Disney recently withdrew from the physical media business in Australia, and it is likely that other companies will follow suit in various regions worldwide.

But it's not all doom and gloom. Recent developments indicate that companies recognize the demand for physical copies of movies and TV shows. Hulu surprised fans by releasing the digital-only film Prey on Blu-ray. Netflix also announced plans to release The Sandman season 1 on Blu-ray, and Disney+ will release The Mandalorian on Blu-ray and DVD later this year. The future of physical media remains uncertain, but the closure of Best Buy's physical media section is another disheartening indication of industry trends.

Source: The Digital Bits, Variety