The rise of OTT platforms has sidelined DVDs and blue rays. People have forgotten the joy and excitement of holding a DVD pack of their favorite movies or music albums. The OTT platforms are erasing the idea of owning something that you love dearly. Now when you want to see a film or a documentary, you go to Netflix or Amazon and subscribe to it. You don’t own anything.
According to Statista.com, data published in 2018, DVD/Blue-ray player ownership has shrunk to 57.8% among the 18-34 years old, compared to 69% among 30-49 years old and 58.6% among 50-64 years old.
When you buy a DVD/Blue-ray, you indirectly become a part of the film or the music album. The DVDs on your shelf mean you own them. However, when you subscribe to a web series on Netflix for a 1-month slot, then you become part of it for a month. When the subscription is over, viewing right is also gone. It’s more like paying rent to the owner of a house. You get all the facilities, but you never own it. In short, someone richer than you dictates your life.
Having a room full of DVDs and Blue-rays not only establishes your share with a film or movie album but also shows your love for cinema and music. The ownership also allows you to showcase your wealth to your guests who are also maybe film buffs or music enthusiasts.
There is a sense of joy and happiness when you bring out a DVD from a DVD pack that you’ve just ordered. I used to be very happy in browsing my favorite directors’ movie at DVD shops.
Few idealists will argue that the idea of ownership is not good. Ownership is one of the tenets of capitalism. But I would happily disagree with them. By renting out films and web series, the OTT platforms are monopolizing the industry. And nonetheless, who likes to watch a movie on a Smartphone.
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