It's no secret that the main focus of the home entertainment business is now on digital streaming services, but it may surprise many to learn that there are still quite a few people buying and renting DVDs and Blu-ray discs. And the phenomenon is so widespread in the US that Netflix released its 5 billionth disc this week.
The company, which continues to print a million discs a week, announced this on Twitter the other day. “From the bottom of our hearts, we thank our incredible subscribers who have been with us for the past 21 years of Netflix DVD,” the company said. “Five billion drives is a huge milestone, and we owe it all to our amazing users.”
5,000,000,000 shipments. FIVEBILLION.
The most heartfelt thank you to our incredible members who have been with us for the past 21 years of DVD Netflix. Five billion discs delivered is a huge milestone and we owe it all to our amazing members and team members.
- DVD Netflix (@dvdnetflix)
Netflix's original business model included physical DVD sales and rentals, but a year after its founding, the company focused on rentals only, using a DVD-by-mail business model in the United States. In the last decade, the company has been actively developing its digital business, pushing users to subscribe to its digital service.
Last month, Netflix announced that its streaming service had surpassed 150 million subscribers. However, it still has 2,4 million DVD rental subscribers, which bring in approximately $157 million in revenue. The film that was sealed in a $5 billion red envelope was the Elton John biopic Rocketman. Interestingly, this musical is not yet available on the Netflix streaming service.
Source: 3dnews.ru