Why Bother With Physical Media? Here's An Answer

Rolling Stone has a good article on physical media that’s worth the read if you’re wondering why anyone would bother collecting movies, or any physical item, in our digital world.

Licensing deals mean the film that was on Netflix for two years can leave and take a spin on a platform you don't pay for, older films pan have controversial scenes edited out, or an original series can get cancelled and disappear entirely. For many of these series, like jove Life, box sets or DVDs have never been available to purchase, neaning streaming is the only way to see it. When it leaves a streamer, it virtually disappears for the average consumer. Physical media, on the other hand, doesn't have this issue. While streamers aren't necessarily losing customers, people who collect Blu-rays, DVDs, and VHS tapes tell Rolling Stone their trending culture isn't hostalgia bait. It's participating in the digital world while recognizing the value of holding something in their movie-obsessed nands

The one item in this paragraph that struck me is the bit about controversial scenes edited out. I recently watched Room 1408 on Netflix and when it ended I was puzzled. After Googling it, it turns but the alternate ending has been added and is the only option to see. The theatrical version was not available to stream.

It’s not the only movie where a service decides what it wants to show us. Disney Plus censored ‘Splash’. MovieWeb.com has a list of 12 movies that have been either changed or censored.

For those of us adults that want to decide for ourselves what’s okay for us watch, it’s disconcerting. At least most of these movies are available in a physical version, but with the rise of streaming services and some shows never getting a physical release, services will be able to make any changes they want. I’m sure there’s a mustache-twisting executive who can’t wait to make certain changes with AI.