Disney Shakes up the Entertainment World, Bids Farewell to DVD & Blu-Ray in Australia
Disney deals a major blow to physical media in Australia by halting the production of DVDs and Blu-rays, signaling a shift towards digital distribution
Summary
Disney has made the decision to stop releasing DVDs and Blu-rays in Australia, marking a significant shift away from physical media.
Disney is shifting its focus towards streaming services like Disney+, allowing users to access their theatrical content online. As a result, Australian Disney fans will have to rely on international retailers to continue adding physical copies of Disney films to their collections since local supplies will no longer be restocked.
Disney has made the decision to stop releasing DVDs and Blu-ray in Australia, dealing a significant blow to physical media. Despite offering their theatrical content on Disney+, their streaming service, after it finishes its run in cinemas, Disney has maintained the release of physical media for all their films. This has allowed Disney fans to build personal collections of their favorite movies without depending on streaming services for their viewing needs.
However, according to The Digital Bits, Disney will no longer be selling DVDs or Blu-ray in Australia after the release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in August. 7NEWS has also verified this information, stating that once the existing DVDs and Blu-rays are sold out in Australia, Disney will no longer restock them. Instead, collectors of Disney DVDs and Blu-rays will have to rely on international retailers to continue obtaining physical copies of Disney's future releases.
Why Disney Is Shelving Physical Releases In Australia
Disney has previously pulled physical releases from certain countries or regions, citing low sales of DVDs and Blu-rays in parts of Asia and Latin America. Similarly, in Australia, the sales of physical releases were not strong enough to justify continued distribution. This discontinuation aligns with the increasing reliance on Disney+ for new content, as the streaming service offers a convenient platform to access shows and movies. With Disney+ providing accessibility to films like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 without the need for additional purchases, it is not surprising that more people are opting for streaming rather than purchasing DVDs and Blu-rays. While this shift may disappoint those who prefer owning physical media, it reflects the evolving trend of how people consume content when it becomes readily available.
Despite recent underperforming films such as Haunted Mansion and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Disney may rely on physical media sales to offset box office failures. Although Disney is discontinuing physical media in Australia, it is unlikely that they will do so globally. Nevertheless, Disney's announcement deals a significant blow to physical media in Australia and could foreshadow a future where streaming dominates the release of new content.
