Everyone is familiar with the Netflix platform. Even if you have never been a subscriber, you’ve likely heard of the specially curated content for the platform and may have tried to watch these ‘hidden’ contents through ‘unofficial’ means on other platforms. However, today the situation is a bit different. What if we told you that Netflix has officially ended its real business? Yes, when you check the side tab, the platform is still open, but it no longer rents DVDs. Here are the details…
The era of Netflix DVD rentals is over! So when did Netflix start renting DVDs?
If you live in the United States and are a movie enthusiast, it’s highly probable that you rented DVDs from Netflix in the 90s and 2000s. Yes, the platform actually started as a DVD rental service. If we go back to those times, you might remember that every neighborhood in Turkey used to have a ‘CD shop guy.’ The platform used a similar system but with a legal rental method, without resorting to piracy.
Before DVD and Blu-Ray technologies, there were VHS tapes. Copying these tapes was quite difficult, and since buying them was also costly, many businesses emerged in various regions that focused on renting these tapes. Of course, after that, we got introduced to DVDs and Blu-Rays. Now, making copies of these products onto CDs has become quite easy.
Netflix, considering the future during that period, believed that it needed to transition to an internet platform. Therefore, in addition to DVD rentals, it started streaming content over the internet with a subscription fee. Time passed, calendars turned, DVD popularity declined, but the popularity of internet broadcasting increased. During this time, Netflix made a significant commercial leap and secured its place among the giants.
However, as of yesterday, Netflix, which used to rent DVDs, has ceased its activities. Netflix, which sent its subscribers one last DVD, immortalized this moment with a YouTube video. In the video, moments of the platform’s DVD rental system, red envelopes in which DVDs were sent, and individuals renting DVDs cleaning them with wet wipes can be seen.
In short, Netflix has effectively concluded its original business. Moving forward, it will continue solely with internet streaming. What are your thoughts on this? Don’t forget to share your opinions in the comments section…
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