Buzz
Streaming platforms and digital distribution have arguably damaged many creative industries, making a strong case for the enduring value of physical media.
While that might sound exaggerated, it’s not entirely off the mark.
Streaming apps do have their merits. They provide convenient access to movies, music, and games across multiple devices and offer legitimate alternatives to piracy and inflated resale markets. However, what began as a rebellion against traditional media gatekeepers has evolved into a new form of corporate dominance—one that often disregards consumers, the content it hosts, and the creators behind it.
The problem with streaming and digital media
Frustrations such as The Office disappearing from Netflix or the unavailability of the original Mannequin film digitally, while its sequel Mannequin 2: On the Move remains accessible, are often dismissed as quirks of the modern digital era.
However, this lack of permanence is increasingly viewed as a flaw rather than a benefit. Recently, Warner Bros. Discovery abruptly removed several TV shows from HBO Max, not for creative reasons but to avoid paying residuals to creators—despite subscribers paying $14.99 monthly expecting consistent access to HBO Max Originals. Similarly, digital games are frequently pulled from stores, becoming unavailable for purchase or re-download, and server shutdowns often render multiplayer features or entire games unplayable, even after purchase.
This issue extends beyond music, movies, and games—ebooks and comics are also at risk due to the rise of all-digital platforms. For instance, the recent Comixology update by Amazon sparked outrage by complicating comic purchases and altering layouts, making some titles unreadable.
All streaming platforms, regardless of the media type, restrict access to their libraries if you cancel your subscription, experience service disruptions, or if the service shuts down entirely. Additionally, streaming models often disadvantage artists and creators who rely on these platforms to share their work.
These challenges, among others, make it harder for consumers to fully enjoy their purchases and nearly impossible to preserve media for the long term.
You know what doesn’t face these problems? Physical media.
This isn’t to say physical media is flawless. Streaming undeniably offers greater accessibility and an illusion of endless content (as long as it’s available), while physical media is limited in quantity, making it susceptible to exploitation by corporations and resellers. Additionally, physical media, like any tangible object, can degrade, get lost, break, or be stolen. Yet, when it comes to ownership, consumer control, and preserving media, physical media outshines digital and streaming in almost every aspect.
Streaming has its flaws, but hasn’t physical media become obsolete?
While purchasing physical copies might not suit everyone or every situation, physical media holds value beyond just collectors, historians, or resellers. Don’t be misled into thinking it’s outdated or irrelevant—most media still gets a physical release. Major films are available on Blu-ray, and complete TV seasons are often sold in multi-disc sets, though they might require some effort to find.
Video games present a more complex scenario. Many modern “physical” games still demand online connectivity, even for offline single-player modes, though numerous titles are entirely playable directly from the disc (or cartridge, in the case of the Nintendo Switch). Acquiring older games, vintage consoles, or rare editions can be costly, but companies like Limited Run Games, Super Rare Games, and Strictly Limited Games produce physical versions of indie titles that typically wouldn’t receive a boxed release, and occasionally reprint older games. Additionally, physical video games often see price reductions much faster than digital versions, sometimes dropping significantly just days or weeks after launch (with Nintendo games being the exception).
CDs continue to be a fantastic medium for high-quality music collection and playback, while “outdated” formats like vinyl and cassette tapes have regained popularity through indie record labels and collectors. Initially seen as a trend among enthusiasts, these formats are now becoming more dependable for accessing music compared to streaming. Moreover, purchasing physical music directly from artists or labels provides them with far greater financial support than the minuscule royalties from streaming platforms.
What about the expense?
A common concern with physical media is its cost: Doesn’t buying every new release add up to more than your monthly streaming subscriptions?
Certainly, especially if you frequently purchase new media to watch, play, or listen to—but this isn’t inherently negative. Personally, I find myself more engaged with media I’ve bought compared to streamed or rented content. Streaming often reduces artistic works to disposable “content” consumed for fleeting enjoyment. That said, streaming or digital purchases have their place, particularly for casual consumption where permanence isn’t a priority. However, even if you perceive no difference between owning and streaming, physical media remains the more reliable option.
Digital content is fleeting—servers shut down, and users risk losing access when switching platforms. However, the collection of movies on your living room shelf remains constant. With the proper equipment, you can enjoy it indefinitely, anytime, without needing to subscribe to a service, install an app, or worry about your internet connection.
