Netflix has officially ended its DVD rental service, which began in 1998, due to a decline in demand for physical rentals. The company shipped its final DVD rentals on September 29, 2023. Over the years, Netflix had shipped over 5.2 billion films in their iconic red envelopes to more than 40 million customers. The introduction of streaming on-demand in 2007 revolutionized the entertainment industry, and Netflix’s expansion into creating original content led to the platform amassing over 238 million subscribers globally.
Despite the discontinuation of the DVD rental service, Netflix has provided a silver lining for customers. Those who still have rental discs can keep them, and they even have the option to request up to 10 more films to help Netflix clear out its remaining inventory. The company emphasized that they will not charge for any unreturned discs after September 29, allowing customers to enjoy their final shipments for as long as they wish.
This decision to end the DVD rental service reflects the shifting landscape of the entertainment industry towards digital streaming, with Netflix solidifying its position as a global leader in streaming. In the second quarter of the year alone, Netflix saw an increase of 5.9 million subscribers worldwide. Additionally, the company expanded its paid sharing feature to more than 100 countries, covering over 80 percent of its revenue base.
