The hill I will die on: Streaming is rubbish – take me back to the golden era of DVDs | Frances Ryan
#streaming #DVDs #media ownership #content removal #nostalgia #entertainment #physical media #Frances Ryan
📌 Key Takeaways
- The author argues that streaming services are inferior to DVDs, citing issues like content removal and lack of ownership.
- DVDs offered a more permanent and reliable way to access films and TV shows without reliance on internet or licensing changes.
- Streaming platforms are criticized for their unpredictable libraries and the potential loss of access to purchased content.
- The piece nostalgically recalls the tangible benefits of DVDs, such as special features and physical collections.
- It calls for a return to the perceived golden era of DVDs as a solution to modern streaming frustrations.
📖 Full Retelling
🏷️ Themes
Media Criticism, Nostalgia
📚 Related People & Topics
Frances Ryan
British journalist and author (born 1985)
Frances Ryan FRSL is a British journalist, author, and activist for people with disabilities. In 2021 the Shaw Trust named her one of the UK's ten most influential disabilities activists. Global Citizen called her "a prominent voice for people with disabilities in the media".
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Deep Analysis
Why It Matters
This opinion piece matters because it critiques the dominant streaming model that has fundamentally reshaped media consumption for billions worldwide. It affects consumers who feel frustrated by content fragmentation across platforms, disappearing titles, and the loss of ownership. The article also impacts entertainment industry professionals and preservationists concerned about digital impermanence and corporate control over cultural artifacts.
Context & Background
- The DVD era (late 1990s-2010s) represented peak physical media ownership, allowing consumers permanent access to purchased content
- Streaming services have grown from Netflix's 2007 launch to a $100+ billion industry dominated by Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and others
- The 'streaming wars' have led to content fragmentation where exclusive titles are scattered across competing platforms
- Physical media sales have declined approximately 80% since 2008 as streaming became dominant
- Archivists have raised concerns about 'digital decay' where streaming content can disappear without preservation
What Happens Next
We'll likely see continued debate about digital ownership rights, possible growth in niche physical media markets, and potential regulatory attention to streaming platform practices. Some services may experiment with 'permanent purchase' options for digital content. The 2024-2025 period may bring more industry consolidation as smaller streaming services struggle with profitability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Streaming offers no permanent ownership—content can disappear when licenses expire or services shut down. It requires continuous subscriptions to multiple platforms to access fragmented content libraries, and quality depends on internet connectivity rather than consistent physical media standards.
Physical media provides guaranteed access without subscription fees, often includes special features and higher audio/video quality, and serves as a preservation method against digital removal. Collectors also value the tangible ownership and artwork missing from streaming interfaces.
No, while mainstream retail has declined, niche markets continue for collectors, cinephiles, and regions with poor internet. Specialty labels like Criterion maintain robust physical media sales, and some filmmakers still prioritize physical releases for preservation.
Yes, platforms could offer permanent digital purchases, improve content preservation transparency, reduce fragmentation through licensing agreements, and provide better special features. Some services already experiment with download functions, though these typically include expiration limitations.
Streaming has increased series production but decreased film preservation incentives, shifted revenue models from sales to subscriptions, and created 'content churn' where shows are quickly canceled or removed. It has also enabled global distribution but reduced standardized regional releases.