Netflix will shut down its DVD business after 25 years, DVD.com will close later this year.
“After an incredible 25 years running, we have decided to close DVD.com at the end of this year,” co-CEO Ted Sarandos wrote in a memo Tuesday. “Our goal has always been to provide the best service possible for our members, but as businesses shrink, this is becoming increasingly difficult. So we want to go to a higher level, and will ship our final disc on September 29, 2023.”
Founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Mark Randolph, the streaming service got its start as a DVD-by-mail service. As Netflix expands its hugely popular streaming service, boosting both library titles and its streamer slate of original content, DVD.com remained in business until Tuesday’s announcement.
The memo continues, “Those iconic red envelopes changed the way people watched shows and movies at home — and they paved the way for a change in streaming.” “From the beginning, our members loved the choice and control of direct-to-consumer entertainment: the wide variety of titles and the ability to binge-watch entire series.”
Sarandos also noted that the DVD business gave streamers their start in original programming, including Red Envelope Entertainment titles “Sherrybaby” and “Zack Galifianakis Live at the Purple Onion”.
The streamer announced the news in a tweet to viewers, saying, “Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey, including this final season of Red Envelopes.”
Also posted by Netflix general question For users, Joe elaborates that the streamer will accept returns until October 27, 2023, with the customer’s final bill coming in August. The FAQ reads, “After your August payment, you will continue to receive service until our final shipping day, September 29th.”
The memo concludes, “We feel able to share movie nights with our DVD members for so long, so excited to build on what our employees have accomplished and delight entertainment fans for many decades to come.” “
