Best Buy to reportedly discontinue all physical media in 2024 both in stores & online

*ranger_scout* · 10-12-2023, 06:14 PM

This report is a huge blow to physical media fans like myself, but Best Buy will no longer be selling any kind of physical media in 2024 both in stores and online.

It could even happen during the 1st quarter of that year. This not only includes 4K Ultra HD, Blu-rays, and DVDs, but video games as well. I'm going to miss physical media when it goes away forever.

https://thedigitalbits.com/columns/m...ts/101223-1100

https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/be...hysical-media/

*Andrew NDB* · 10-12-2023, 06:19 PM

They might as well just shut down, then.

*Autbot_Benz* · 10-12-2023, 07:11 PM

used to use them but their prices are 2-4 dollars more than Amazon so I will use Amazon

*CyberCubed* · 10-12-2023, 08:54 PM

I barely buy any physical media since I watch everything for free on the illegal streaming websites. I did buy the TMNT 2k3 DVD boxset though, but only due to my undying love for Turtles.

Physical media will be on its way out probably by 2030 at the latest. It's already showing signs of it now.

*TigerClaw* · 10-12-2023, 08:54 PM

Its unfortunate, Because Best Buy is where I ordered those Steelbook versions of movies on Blu-ray.

The last movie I got from Best Buy online was the Super Mario Bros Movie, But not the Steelbook.

*Autbot_Benz* · 10-12-2023, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

I barely buy any physical media since I watch everything for free on the illegal streaming websites.

you mention this in EVERY movie thread we get it your too cheap to pay for anything keep it to yourself

*KROW* · 10-12-2023, 11:10 PM

I guess they want to make more room to sell washers, dryers, and electric scooters.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

I barely buy any physical media since I watch everything for free on the illegal streaming websites.

Arr, matey!

*Storm Eagle* · 10-12-2023, 11:23 PM

I'll be fine as long as I can get releases anywhere, such as Amazon. Unfortunately, there could come a time where all vendors quit physical media altogether. I'll try not to dwell on it since anticipation of the end is worse than the end itself.

*IMJ* · 10-13-2023, 12:03 AM

I don't know what to snicker and shake my head at more - Best Buy and their slow decline in general, or that sort of archetypical "large and in charge tough guy" Best Buy employee that seems to have permeated that company for decades.

I have literally decades of "small moments" stories about shopping at Best Buy - stone serious. You can imagine that, given the way that I observe people and their personality-tells, that going into Best Buy is like an exercise in extreme patience - made even worse because I'm the customer.

Your average Best Buy employee is a $#!(bag who would approach an unsuspecting old couple who came in for a single Sonos speaker, and then try to convert them indiscriminately into an Whole Home Controller just so that they could get their 20 dollar spiff at their 30k a year $#!(show retail job.

And I can honestly say that there is a positive linear correlation between Best Buy's ongoing reduction of physical media and my increasing absence from their stores.

*MrPliggins* · 10-13-2023, 08:08 AM

The Best Buy DVD section used to be a regular stop for me for many years. Now, I can't remember the last time I set foot in a Best Buy store. The decline of physical media compared to those times is apparent, but I'm surprised they'd eliminate it completely at such an early date. Sales must be very dismal. The report does say "take this with a grain of salt", so maybe it won't be that soon.

*Cowabung-Gal* · 10-13-2023, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

Physical media will be on its way out probably by 2030 at the latest. It's already showing signs of it now.

So if America were to have a massive internet blackout, the ones who don’t have DVD’s to keep themselves entertained would definitely be in trouble

*The Deadman* · 10-13-2023, 11:58 AM

They said theyre still gonna sell video games.

*Roseangelo* · 10-13-2023, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowabung-Gal

So if America were to have a massive internet blackout, the ones who don’t have DVD’s to keep themselves entertained would definitely be in trouble

Well, books still exist.

**Barkworm** · 10-13-2023, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roseangelo

Well, books still exist.

For most Zoomers (and probably a lot of older Internet degenerates as well) that's not an option.

*CyberCubed* · 10-13-2023, 04:16 PM

Physical media is definitely going to be largely phased out by 2030, and even that is probably being generous. Movies/TV and videogames are all dying in the physical space, and only special prestige stuff will get released.

Eventually they may stop making blu-ray players and disc drivers altogether, so I wouldn't be surprised. I think we have maybe 7 or less years left of most stuff still being released physical.

*ranger_scout* · 10-13-2023, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Deadman

They said theyre still gonna sell video games.

They have just confirmed that. Yes.

Quote:

The company will continue to sell video games.

https://variety.com/2023/digital/new...es-1235754919/

*IMJ* · 10-13-2023, 06:46 PM

Does anyone remember the social event of just going to a place like Tower Records, hanging out looking at everything, chatting with the varied customer base there and leaving with a CD? Or a midnight release event?

An entire engagement of sub-culture that just doesn't exist anymore. I have so many stories from small concerts and midnight releases at places like Tower Records back in the day.

**Barkworm** · 10-13-2023, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IMJ

Does anyone remember the social event of just going to a place like Tower Records, hanging out looking at everything, chatting with the varied customer base there and leaving with a CD? Or a midnight release event?

An entire engagement of sub-culture that just doesn't exist anymore. I have so many stories from small concerts and midnight releases at places like Tower Records back in the day.

We didn't have midnight releases but I fondly remember me and my best friend going to our local CD store almost every Wednesday afternoon when we were teens, browsing the shelves, listening to CDs and often buying stuff.

*CyberCubed* · 10-13-2023, 11:40 PM

The push to digital has really been aggressive. I used to see rows and rows of DVDs of movies and TV shows in the early 2000's, now it seems like nobody cares. I'm sure places like amazon will still sell discs for as long as they make them, but I think Target and Wal-mart may follow suit too, and at that point they'll be pretty much done outside of online retailers.

It's really not much different than how VHS tapes were gradually phased out in the early 2000's, but you could still buy VHS as late as 2005-2007 if I remember right before they disappeared entirely.

*Andrew NDB* · 10-13-2023, 11:45 PM

Whether it was VHS tapes in video stores in the mall or DVDs later on, there was a certain feeling to perusing them in aisles upon aisles. I'd discover all kinds of movies. All the book stores that used to be in malls, as well. There's obviously still a Barnes & Noble here and there outside of malls, clinging on, but it's not the same anymore.

And I'm sure there's still similar sorts of experiences in record stores nowadays, only now it's just hipsters and it's only vinyl -- again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

The push to digital has really been aggressive.

"You will own nothing and be happy!"

10-12-2023, 06:14 PM	#1
ranger_scout Foot Elite Join Date: May 2014 Location: Texas Posts: 3,776	Best Buy to reportedly discontinue all physical media in 2024 both in stores & online This report is a huge blow to physical media fans like myself, but Best Buy will no longer be selling any kind of physical media in 2024 both in stores and online. It could even happen during the 1st quarter of that year. This not only includes 4K Ultra HD, Blu-rays, and DVDs, but video games as well. I'm going to miss physical media when it goes away forever. https://thedigitalbits.com/columns/m...ts/101223-1100 https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/be...hysical-media/

10-12-2023, 06:19 PM	#2
Andrew NDB Weed Whacker Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Auburn, WA Posts: 34,564	They might as well just shut down, then. __________________ [ ODYSSEY \| ORIGIN \| THE IMAGE/VOL. 3 CONCLUSION \| THE SHELLSHOCKED PODCAST \| ON FACEBOOK ]

10-12-2023, 07:11 PM	#3
Autbot_Benz Hellblazer Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Ventura California Posts: 9,192	used to use them but their prices are 2-4 dollars more than Amazon so I will use Amazon __________________ I respect what FW cartoon did for the turtles franchise but it is the most overrated and hard to watch of the 3 turtles cartoons.

10-12-2023, 08:54 PM	#5
TigerClaw Mutant Tiger Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Hialeah, Florida, USA Posts: 14,165	Its unfortunate, Because Best Buy is where I ordered those Steelbook versions of movies on Blu-ray. The last movie I got from Best Buy online was the Super Mario Bros Movie, But not the Steelbook. __________________ Follow me on my Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@tygerclaw305

10-13-2023, 12:03 AM	#9
IMJ Emperor Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Midwest, U.S.A. Posts: 8,894	I don't know what to snicker and shake my head at more - Best Buy and their slow decline in general, or that sort of archetypical "large and in charge tough guy" Best Buy employee that seems to have permeated that company for decades. I have literally decades of "small moments" stories about shopping at Best Buy - stone serious. You can imagine that, given the way that I observe people and their personality-tells, that going into Best Buy is like an exercise in extreme patience - made even worse because I'm the customer. Your average Best Buy employee is a $#!(bag who would approach an unsuspecting old couple who came in for a single Sonos speaker, and then try to convert them indiscriminately into an Whole Home Controller just so that they could get their 20 dollar spiff at their 30k a year $#!(show retail job. And I can honestly say that there is a positive linear correlation between Best Buy's ongoing reduction of physical media and my increasing absence from their stores. __________________ Wave 1 Collectibles Online Market Watch Blog Collection Photography Last edited by IMJ; 10-13-2023 at 12:09 AM.

10-12-2023, 08:54 PM	#4
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 43,883	I barely buy any physical media since I watch everything for free on the illegal streaming websites. I did buy the TMNT 2k3 DVD boxset though, but only due to my undying love for Turtles. Physical media will be on its way out probably by 2030 at the latest. It's already showing signs of it now.

10-12-2023, 11:23 PM	#8
Storm Eagle Saved by Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New York Posts: 3,395	I'll be fine as long as I can get releases anywhere, such as Amazon. Unfortunately, there could come a time where all vendors quit physical media altogether. I'll try not to dwell on it since anticipation of the end is worse than the end itself.

10-13-2023, 08:08 AM	#10
MrPliggins Foot Elite Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3,051	The Best Buy DVD section used to be a regular stop for me for many years. Now, I can't remember the last time I set foot in a Best Buy store. The decline of physical media compared to those times is apparent, but I'm surprised they'd eliminate it completely at such an early date. Sales must be very dismal. The report does say "take this with a grain of salt", so maybe it won't be that soon.

10-13-2023, 11:58 AM	#12
The Deadman Foot Elite Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 4,170	They said theyre still gonna sell video games. __________________ Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/Dead2009/ Backloggd: https://backloggd.com/u/Dead2009/ Dropkickd: https://www.dropkickd.com/user/Dead2009

10-13-2023, 04:16 PM	#15
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 43,883	Physical media is definitely going to be largely phased out by 2030, and even that is probably being generous. Movies/TV and videogames are all dying in the physical space, and only special prestige stuff will get released. Eventually they may stop making blu-ray players and disc drivers altogether, so I wouldn't be surprised. I think we have maybe 7 or less years left of most stuff still being released physical.

10-13-2023, 06:46 PM	#17
IMJ Emperor Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Midwest, U.S.A. Posts: 8,894	Does anyone remember the social event of just going to a place like Tower Records, hanging out looking at everything, chatting with the varied customer base there and leaving with a CD? Or a midnight release event? An entire engagement of sub-culture that just doesn't exist anymore. I have so many stories from small concerts and midnight releases at places like Tower Records back in the day. __________________ Wave 1 Collectibles Online Market Watch Blog Collection Photography

10-13-2023, 11:40 PM	#19
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 43,883	The push to digital has really been aggressive. I used to see rows and rows of DVDs of movies and TV shows in the early 2000's, now it seems like nobody cares. I'm sure places like amazon will still sell discs for as long as they make them, but I think Target and Wal-mart may follow suit too, and at that point they'll be pretty much done outside of online retailers. It's really not much different than how VHS tapes were gradually phased out in the early 2000's, but you could still buy VHS as late as 2005-2007 if I remember right before they disappeared entirely.