In the past decade, streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, and Max have revolutionized how people consume digital media. From its surplus of binge worthy shows to its extensive movie libraries, streaming services have given unmatched convenience. However, at the price of convenience, there will always be other drawbacks or consequences. This shift towards streaming is also a shift away from physical media, which in hand reveals concerns about accessibility, censorship, and preservation. Examinations of these issues reveal why physical media is a vital part of the future of our entertainment despite the looming presence of streaming platforms.
As Streaming Rises in Prominence, Physical Media sees a Decline in Sales
It’s no doubt that streaming services have fundamentally reformed the entertainment industry. According to data journalist Daniel Parris, the main reason for streaming prevalence was their offer of instant, on demand access of content by streaming platforms for a fraction of the cost of cable TV. As high speed internet became more affordable and readily available, more people embraced streaming. In light of this trend, traditional physical formats like DVDs and Blu-rays saw a drastic decline in sales.
According to Nikolas Lanum of Fox Business, many big retailers such as Best Buy and Target are slowly stepping away from physical media. Target is limiting its selection to big box office releases to DVD while Best Buy plans to step away from selling them as a whole. That alongside the diminishing physical movie rental market through the end of RedBox, and we’re looking at an all-digital future.
Cheap and Easy to Expensive and Complicated
On paper, an all-digital future seems like a step towards progress. Everything you can watch, all at your fingertips. But when digital content is easier to centralize, especially in an institution that prioritizes profit and irrational growth, it makes the idea much harder to stand behind. We see this a lot today. Following the success of Netflix, many other companies decided to follow suit, creating their own streaming platform. Paramount+, Peacock, STARZ, Max, these are just a few of the many services responsible for minimizing content and maximizing profit.
There’s only so much content that can be mainstream and popular. So with many different streaming platforms, the amount of popular and good content becomes diluted as these platforms are paying a lot of money to keep streaming rights for certain shows and movies. This comes at a loss for you, the movie enjoyer, as you have to shell out more money not only for more streaming services, but for the uptick in the cost of a subscription every year. This centralization of media is unhealthy, as it’s become more expensive than cable and filled with ads.
How is censorship being used by streaming services?
Alongside its control over the media market is its usage of censorship. As Sri Lankan writer Indi Samarajiva argues, subtle censorship is becoming a growing concern. Platforms have the power to edit or alter content without notifying viewers, from changing scenes to removing episodes that they deem controversial. For example, streaming services have been criticized for removing older content for being considered as no longer politically correct. By doing this, they’re effectively erasing historical context.
This may seem minor today, as only a few episodes have been lost to censorship. But it reflects the potential of power given to an alarming small minority. Unlike physical media, which preserves content in its original form, streaming services can easily manipulate content to align with corporate policy or general audiences sensibilities. This ability to alter history highlights the importance of maintaining access to unaltered versions of films and TV shows as physical media does.
Do we actually own the things we purchase digitally?
Even media that we may own digitally is at stake to being taken away, as it isn’t something that we actually own. While companies like Amazon Prime Video and Sony Pictures may give you the impression that by buying a movie digitally, it’s yours to keep, that impression is false. Very deep into the fine print that you agree to when making an account, you’ll find that buying a movie on their platform only gives you a license to play them, a license that can be terminated if the company deems fit.
This became a big issue after the PlayStation Store had removed several purchased movies from user libraries after its discontinuation of their PlayStation media service. Many people had been a victim of this action first hand, and in suit demanded for reform of digital content ownership. Some even responded by ceasing purchase of digital movies and shows, switching back to DVDs instead. This is one of the many ways that we can do something not against streaming, but against the centralization of content.
Ways to limit streaming service usage
Invest in Physical Media, start your own DVD or Blu-ray collection with your favorite movies and shows. A lot of these physical copies, on top of real life ownership, offer bonus features like director commentary or behind the scenes footage that isn’t available on streaming.
Check out your local media store, these places often sell physical media second-handedly. That way, it’s much cheaper than buying them new. It can also be a means to discover something new that’s not on any streaming service.
Explore your library’s resources. Many libraries offer more than just books, there are also movies and music that you can borrow with a library card. Don’t let your tax dollars go to waste, get a library card today!
Actively share your library with friends and even join a media sharing community. Engaging with groups focused on lending physical media encourages access to diverse collections while being an effective means of consuming media sustainably.
The rise of streaming services have played a big role in transforming how we consume media and entertainment. But like all things, this comes at a cost. From losing some titles to censorship and lack of demand. This reliance on impermanent formats is something that poses a significant challenge in the long run. Physical media’s cost lies in its ability to preserve content and enable genuine ownership. As we continue to navigate this new media landscape, it’s important to advocate for tangible formats' existence alongside streaming platforms.
Credits:
Created with an image by Proxima Studio - "VOD service on television. TV streaming concept"