Another casualty in the ‘digital vs. physical’ war.
Physical media takes another hit as manufacturing giant LG pulls the plug on Blu-ray players. The company joins Samsung, Sony, and Oppo in abandoning the format.
Is this the end for Blu-ray?
Blu-ray Industry Faces Final Days
LG’s latest move isn’t exactly shocking. If you’ve been keeping an eye on the Blu-ray market, you might’ve noticed they haven’t put out a new player since 2018.
Now, they’re just selling off their remaining UBK80 and UBK90 players until they’re gone for good.
They’re not alone in backing away from Blu-ray either.
Samsung and Oppo already jumped ship years ago, leaving Panasonic as pretty much the last major player still making these devices.
Looking back, we can trace this downward spiral to Blu-ray’s rocky beginnings.
The format stumbled right out of the gate since, compared to other formats, these discs were crazy expensive. And don’t even get me started on all those frustrating copyright protection measures that made watching your own movies feel like breaking into Fort Knox.
By the time prices dropped, streaming platforms like Netflix and Prime Video had already captured the mainstream market. Sales of Blu-ray players peaked in 2017 and have steadily declined since then.
Smart TVs also further sealed Blu-ray’s fate as it made disc-based players feel increasingly obsolete.
Sure, the die-hard fans stuck for the quality this format offers. But, as always, streaming convenience wins the majority.
The Uncertain Future of Physical Media
What’s happening to Blu-ray is part of a bigger trend in how we enjoy our entertainment. Physical media everywhere is slowly fading away.
Just look at what’s happening in cars where major manufacturers have stopped adding in-car CD players on their new models.
This happens, even as CD sales have seen a slight resurgence. While 15% of UK drivers still actively using CDs, car manufacturers have moved on to focus on digital connections like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The same pattern applies to Blu-ray. Despite some people preferring physical discs, the industry keeps pushing forward with digital alternatives.
Why It Matters
The switch from Blu-ray to streaming affects more than just how we watch movies. Yes, most people might be fine with streaming. But, it still brings up several important concerns:
- Quality Difference: When you watch a movie on Blu-ray, you’ll notice details that streaming services just can’t deliver, especially in dark scenes on OLED TVs. Those murky shadows in your favorite horror movie? They’re actually full of detail on Blu-ray that gets lost in streaming compression.
- Unique Content: Since Blu-ray can store around 40 times more than CDs, many Blu-ray releases feature exclusive extras. We’re talking archival footage and unique album masters (sometimes multiple remasters in one disc!). It’s also the top format for those who love surround sound.
- Long-term access: Physical formats, in general, provide reliable access without relying on internet connectivity or praying that there’ll be no licensing issues on streaming platforms.
- Personal Ownership: There’s something special about having a real collection you can see and touch. Research shows we connect differently with physical things we own to the point that it helps us build our sense of self.
LG stopping production of Blu-ray players doesn’t signal the end of Blu-ray or physical media. If you’re serious about buying a Blu-ray player, Sony and Panasonic are the go-to brands. Physical media isn’t going anywhere—just look at companies like Criterion, Arrow, Kino, Lionsgate, Second Sight, Vinegar Syndrome, and Shout Factory. They continue to release 4K UHD and Blu-ray titles with a loyal and growing collector base.
Moreover, Blu-ray remains vital for gaming, with Sony and Xbox still relying on it for physical game distribution. And let’s not forget videophiles and audiophiles, who consistently choose physical media for its superior quality. Until streaming can match the quality and reliability of physical media, there’s no reason to worry about its future.