Let me first take you back to a much simpler time. The year was 2013 and I was a senior in high school with two main things on my mind: college and the show Glee. The latter had me obsessed, to the point where I’d buy DVD box sets of each season. When a rejection letter from my dream college convinced me my life was over, my mom cheered me up in the best possible way: by buying me the new Glee season on DVD.
Also Read– Best Frozen Pizzas, Ranked by Deliciousness
Let’s now pretend this scenario happened in 2023. It would likely involve my mom emailing me a link to a digital download or a Netflix log-in. And that would be…fine, I guess. There’s just something special about a tangible copy of content you love. Like, framed photos and picture albums exist for a reason, you know? Plus, wrestling a DVD out of a box and nestling it into its little tray is an ~experience~ of the sort that clicking “next episode” just doesn’t deliver. There’s no waiting for your internet to buffer while you skip to the best scenes. And the bonus features! Special commentaries, deleted scenes, bloopers, on-set pranks!
So, yes, this is a very passionate personal argument in favor of DVDs—but it’s also more, because bringing them back isn’t just about nostalgia. See, last June, after seven years on Netflix, Glee suddenly moved to Hulu and Disney+, leaving people without those subscriptions bereft of their go-to comfort rewatch. It’s a common, and increasingly expensive, tale. There were Netflix’s original Marvel series (now Disney+) and Friends (Netflix, then HBO Max). The Harry Potter films have moved so many times, you’re probably better off just picking another franchise. And remember when people threatened to cancel their Netflix when The Office moved to Peacock? As long as this keeps happening, we’re all stuck playing a never-ending game of “Where Is My Show Now?”
That’s not even the worst of it. In the months after WarnerMedia and Discovery merged last spring, more than 80 shows and movies just disappeared from HBO Max so that its corporate overlords could save money (something about residuals and licensing fees and tax write-offs, ugh). Fans were given barely any notice before great series like Minx were pulled. (Thankfully, Starz has since picked it up.)
Also Read– What is business collateral?
Being able to possess a physical copy of a series is the closest you can get to a guarantee that you’ll have it forever and ever. I suppose I should also acknowledge that you could theoretically purchase some of your beloved content on iTunes or Prime Video. But not all of it. Legendary (a reality competition focused on the LGBTQ+ ballroom scene) and Gordita Chronicles (one of the few Latinx shows of 2022), for example, aren’t available this way. And who knows if what’s for sale now will still be there in 5 years…or 10?
Read More:- How to Clean Oven Racks Quickly and Easily
By the way, it’s not just fans who risk missing crucial material. The creative teams behind projects could also lose big. This is why Dickinson creator Alena Smith begged Apple TV+ to give her “the ONLY copy” of the show, as she explained on Twitter. Imagine working on a project for years only to have to chase it around platforms whenever you want a refresher or a line for your résumé.
Also Read- Pre-Rinsing Your Dishes May Be A Waste Of Time
Finally (I’m almost there, promise), don’t tell me there’s not something special about having access to the original version of A Thing. Like that Game of Thrones scene with a modern coffee cup that was later edited out—because if a title is only on streaming, it can be altered at any time. That’s what’s happening with Stranger Things. Some fans believe the creators have been going back and editing old scenes, including one of Jonathan taking pictures of Nancy. (Showrunners have denied it but did say they might go back and tinker with a mention of Will’s birthday because they forgot it when writing season 4. Which is…wild?)
So consider this an urgent call to action—both to rally for alternative viewing options and to stock up on box sets of anything you couldn’t live without. Maybe buy a few as gifts for friends while you’re at it. Because DVDs are more than just a way to watch something. They’re a way to keep our favorite things—and the memories we have around them—alive.
