In mid October, Best Buy announced the end of an era: the company will phase out DVD and Blu-ray discs by early next year.
Physical discs will remain available at Best Buy via in-person or online shopping through the end of December. In 2024, these sales will be discontinued. With its newfound retail capacity, Best Buy plans to endeavor in selling additional tech products, a goal that aligns with the current ever expanding digital age.
Best Buy cut off disc sales just weeks after Netflix concluded its DVD by mail program Sept. 29. These paralleled events demonstrate how over the last few decades, movies and TV have shifted to be primarily consumed through online streaming services rather than DVD or Blu-ray discs.
Senior John Christakos feels as if the news from Best Buy is not much of a loss. He believes that physical media simply isn’t nearly as necessary as it once was considering the multitude of online streaming services available.
“In terms of discs and CDs, the only time I would use those is for games, probably on a PS4 or anything like that,” he said.
For music, Christakos does not use them.
Paradoxically, as some forms of physical media have dissolved, others have resurfaced. For example, the resurgence of record players or digital cameras among Gen-Z highlights the trendiness of forms of media that appear vintage or old school.
In terms of discs and CDs, the only time I would use those is for games, probably on a PS4 or anything like that
— John Christakos
For some students, physical media holds sentimental value. Senior Nora Shaughnessy encounters record players each holiday season alongside her Grandma, and has since childhood.
“She’s old fashioned still. So she will listen to Christmas music or any type of Charlie Brown music. So we’ll listen to that while we eat on a record player,” she said.
Shaughnessy also recalls owning a small DVD player as a child.
“I was eight or nine and I was with my brother and we were playing together in Washington DC. They had a best buy, so we went in and asked for a new one, because the one before broke,” she said. “Now, I use Netflix.”
While neither Christakos nor Shaughnessy will be directly impacted by Best Buy’s decision, they both noted that this moment seems to say a lot about the current landscape of both digital and physical media.
“It feels a little sad. We’re really advancing that quick,” Christakos said.
For a last chance to buy DVD or Blu-ray discs from Best Buy, check out the company’s selection before January 2024.
The closest Best Buy to campus is located at 1643 County Road B2 in Roseville.
