Key Takeaways:
– Streaming giant Netflix has reportedly shunned the idea of releasing content on physical media.
– Multiple critically acclaimed titles have not been released on DVD/Blu-Ray, reflecting this trend.
– Director Mike Flanagan alleges Netflix consistently resisted his efforts to have his projects released on physical media.
– Flanagan suggests this mindset could potentially damage film preservation in the long run.
– The physical media industry appears to be in a state of steady decline, with movie and TV series availability on DVDs and Blu-Ray increasingly scarce.
As our world continues to pivot towards digitization, the film industry is no exception. Disruption has been marked by the rise of streaming services like Netflix. In the midst of this digital revolution, concerns regarding the seemingly diminishing interest in physical media, such as DVDs and Blu-rays, have been raised.
Netflix's Physical Media Resistance: A Concern?
Filmmaker Mike Flanagan, known for his long-running relationship with Netflix, recently aired grievances about the streaming service's unwillingness to entertain the idea of physical media releases. Flanagan has created acclaimed content for Netflix, including “The Haunting of Hill House” and “Midnight Mass”. He shared that despite his attempts, Netflix consistently blocked the release of his works on DVD and Blu-ray.
Flanagan said, “In the years I worked at Netflix, I tried very hard to get them to release my work on Blu-ray & DVD. They refused at every turn. It became clear very fast that their only priority was subs, & that they were actively hostile to the idea of physical media.”
Disruptors or Damagers?
In his critique, the director pointed out that while Netflix has surely disrupted traditional film and television distribution models, their steady refusal to embrace physical media could inadvertently harm film preservation efforts.
Flanagan further added, “This is a very dangerous point of view. While companies like Netflix pride themselves on being disruptors, they sometimes fail to see the difference between disruption and damage. So much that they can find themselves, intentionally or not, doing enormous harm to the very concept of film preservation.”
This reluctance, however, may not be isolated to Netflix alone. The movie industry as a whole seems to have taken a step back from physical media distribution. Disturbingly, even widely lauded movies like “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “Godzilla Minus One” have not been released on home video. The latter even got a far earlier Netflix release instead of a Region 1 Blu-ray release, sparking concerns among physical media enthusiasts.
The Declining Physical Media Landscape
The dwindling availability of movies and popular TV series on physical media is concerning. Physical media outlets seem to be reducing their stock continually, further undermining the medium's popularity.
So, what could this mean for the future of physical media? While it's clear that the trend leans towards streaming and digital content, does every film or TV show necessarily need to be on physical media? That's something worth pondering.
The dynamics of the movie industry have certainly changed with digital platforms like Netflix becoming the modern titans. Regardless, it's crucial not to forget the value of film preservation, and the role that physical media plays in this. One must wonder if Netflix's contemporary might comes at the cost of the very foundation it was built on.
