In an age of endless digital content, suggesting bringing back DVDs may sound crazy.
After all, streaming is all about convenience: watching what you want, whenever you want, right?
But how many times have you searched for your favorite show only to find it disappeared from your streaming platform of choice?
One minute, it’s there; the next, it’s gone, pulled away without warning, and you’re left scrambling to figure out which platform (if any) still has it.
When did we agree to let the streaming giants decide what stays or goes away?
Streaming Dreams: Watch anything, anytime – or so they say
There was a time when streaming felt revolutionary. It means breaking away from cable TV’s tight grip on our schedules and being able to watch on our terms.
In its early days, streaming services delivered on that promise, offering libraries of the hottest shows and most popular movies in one place.
But as new platforms emerged, each with their own exclusive games, it quickly became apparent that we were entering a content tug-of-war rather than one-stop access.
Take Fraser for example. Originally a Netflix staple, it migrated to Paramount+ after CBS took back its library, leaving fans scrambling to keep up.
The same thing happened with “Mad Men,” which jumped between platforms as AMC changed its licensing deal.
Shows like this are popping up all over the place, and it’s too bad if you’re not subscribed to the “right” one.
It’s especially painful for niche shows with smaller but loyal fan bases.
These games won’t be prioritized for new offers or relicensing, leaving fans in the lurch wondering if they’ll ever see their favorite games again.
Subscription Trap: Are We Really Paying for Convenience?
At first glance, the most important thing about streaming is flexibility. No more cable bills, no more schedules—just one low monthly price.
But the truth is, the streaming landscape is broken.
If you want to experience what each service has to offer, you’ll likely end up paying more per month than cable TV for subscriptions to Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO, Max, and more.
Even after spending that much money, you’re still subject to each platform’s licensing agreement.
Your beloved movie may disappear when you want to rewatch it, or worse, in the middle of a marathon.
Imagine discovering a hidden gem and investing a lot of money, only to log in one day to find it’s gone.
Why? Because its licensing agreement has expired and the streaming platform has either not renewed it or lost out to a rival in a bidding war.
After Oppenheimer’s Blu-ray was released in November 2023, the film’s director Christopher Nolan summed up the frustration in an interview with The Washington Post.
“The danger now is that if content only exists in the streaming version, they will indeed be removed. They come and go,” he explained.
“But the home video version is there forever, so people can access it at any time.”
Just days ago, at a screening in Los Angeles highlighting the film’s craftsmanship, Nolan highlighted the effort that went into a physical release, adding with a laugh, “…so no evil streaming services can steal it from you.
For filmmakers like Nolan, the stability of DVD and Blu-ray offers something streaming cannot: the guarantee that fans will always have access, regardless of the digital platform.
James Cameron also weighed in, expressing his frustration with the control streaming platforms have.
“Streaming refuses to let us watch certain movies,” he told Variety. “I think the natural reaction is, ‘I’m going to buy it and I’m going to watch it whenever I want.’
Guillermo del Toro has been a champion of film preservation, viewing physical media as a cultural responsibility.
He posted on
For fans, physical media is no longer just a collection; It’s a reliable cultural archive, unaffected by the unpredictable rotation of streaming media.
Remember the box set?
I’m excited to see your collection grow, knowing that what you love will always be there, at your fingertips, without the need for an internet connection or the need to worry about it suddenly disappearing.
DVDs may sound retro, but they come with a guarantee: once you buy them, you own them.
They have no licensing issues, streaming rights, and platform exclusivity. You can enjoy managing your own collection, a permanent library that no one else can change.
Additionally, DVDs don’t just offer the show or movie itself, they also offer additional features that make the experience even richer.
Bonus features, director’s commentary, deleted scenes, and alternate endings give us insight into the creative process and often add to our understanding of the story.
These extras not only make a DVD “worth having”; They make them valuable, providing a complete experience that streaming media rarely replicates.
Streaming isn’t always reliable
We’ve all been there: you’re watching an intense moment, and then all of a sudden, it buffers. Or worse, “Oops, something went wrong!”
Streaming services are affected by network connections, server load and technical glitches.
Physical media, on the other hand, doesn’t require Wi-Fi, doesn’t buffer, and doesn’t freeze on high. It’s such a relief to know that the DVD is ready to play as soon as it’s placed in the player.
Let’s talk about the endless “subscription fatigue” debate.
It can be exhausting when you’re trying to keep up with multiple subscriptions, constantly deciding what’s worth paying for.
Imagine having the stuff you love, ready to use, instead of renting access. Its simplicity is deeply satisfying in a way that streaming can’t match.
Streaming services do have an advantage: They make shows more accessible to people who wouldn’t buy an entire package without a test drive. But once you find a show you like, having a personal copy becomes priceless.
Remember the days when certain shows were edited for “modern sensibilities”?
A physical copy protects the original experience and is immune to any corporate edits or changes to “fit” the current climate.
With DVD, you get the original show or movie, no modifications, no editing, just the original, authentic experience.
Take the controversy surrounding “The Simpsons,” for example, where Disney+ released cut episodes that cut out visual gags.
Fans were outraged and Disney eventually had to add the original version.
Bringing Back DVDs: A revolt against the empty promises of streaming
Maybe DVDs feel like a sacred object, but in reality, they’re a lifeline.
DVDs provide stability in an unstable media world. They’re the solution for those tired of the constant shuffle of streaming media.
Imagine not having to worry about whether your favorite content is still available. They’re right there, in your home, immune to the whims of the streaming brass, ready to go.
Besides being practical, there’s something almost rebellious about bringing back a DVD.
It’s a silent move to say “no” to the streaming giants’ control of our entertainment. It’s about taking back a little bit of the power and taking back part of our viewing experience.
DVDs may feel old-school, but maybe that’s what we need in this ever-changing world.
Relaunching DVD doesn’t mean giving up on streaming entirely; This is a chance for us to choose for ourselves.
There’s value in having something tangible for those shows and movies that are truly meaningful and that we’ll want to revisit for years to come.
As streaming continues to fragment, adding more services, more exclusives, and more frustrations, it’s time to rethink what we’ve lost by fully embracing the digital age.
So, let’s start dusting off our DVD players and rebuilding our personal libraries. Because at the end of the day, ownership matters.
It’s like there’s a difference between entrusting your favorite stories to some faceless company and having them sit safely on your bookshelf, where they’re meant to be enjoyed.
What do you think? Is it time to rewind or move forward?
Streaming may have changed the game, but the debate over physical media is far from over. Are you ready to clean the dust off your DVD player?
We’d love to hear where you stand! Do you miss the days of box sets and bonus features, or are you fully committed to the digital age? Share your thoughts below!
