[IntelMiner]

I've often wondered if the balkanization of streaming services would lead to a resurgence of physical media ownership, along with piracy of course

I had an argument some time ago with a friend who was a devout "streaming enthusiast" for lack of a better term. Netflix had Back to the Future on and I watched it

Understandably I wanted to watch the second movie in the trilogy. But...they didn't have it! Somehow they'd only acquired the rights to Back to the Future 1 and 3. But not 2

His genuine response was "just rent it on Google Play then"

This absolute stretching out of content to ensure every single penny on the table that could possibly be obtained is hoovered out of wallets is absolutely pathetic. At least when Netflix was a "dumping ground of old TV and movies" we could reliably go watch "re-runs" of Seinfeld forever. But not so much anymore

[acchow]

Your local library might have it. San Francisco public library has 11 copies of it, with 5 available right now.

https://sfpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S93C3909179

[peutetre]

> I've often wondered if the balkanization of streaming services would lead to a resurgence of physical media ownership

Probably not. What's already happening is that movie studios are scaling back physical media production so if you want to see those movies you'll have to use their streaming service or figure out how to import it while you still can:

https://collider.com/disney-physical-media-release-discontin...

https://variety.com/2024/film/news/disney-sony-pysical-media...

Why sell you something when they can rent it to you forever?

[NoPicklez]

Whilst I understand your point, if you wanted to watch 2 & 3, you would have had to go walk to your video shop and either rent or buy those next two movies anyway.

I don't know how interested I'd be in watching movies of old if I needed to go and fork out more money to rent or buy the movies.

Heck if I wanted to go rewatch Harry Potter all of the movies are there on Netflix. I don't need to go and buy the boxset of hire each movie individually.

[creer]

The "extras" also speak in favor of the physical media. The streamers apparently still haven't figured out what to do with that.

[pier25]

Movies bought on iTunes have plenty of extras.

[NoPicklez]

If I want extras I go watch behind the scenes content online

I wasn't sad to lose bonus content