Netflix to end DVD rental service in 2023 after 25 years

DVD.com has been operated by Netflix for the past 25 years, but the streaming giant announced late yesterday they would be "shipping our final discs" on September 29, 2023.

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said the service had "changed the way people watched shows and movies at home" and had paved the way for the shift to streaming.

But he said it was becoming "increasingly difficult" to maintain the service as the "business continues to shrink".

After an incredible 25 year run, we’ve decided to wind down https://t.co/6h2lrcGg2b later this year.

To everyone who ever added a DVD to their queue or waited by the mailbox for a red envelope to arrive: Thank you! https://t.co/McxJUlLlGF pic.twitter.com/nBXzgvvv7p

— Netflix (@netflix) April 18, 2023

Mr Sarandos added: "From the beginning, our members loved the choice and control that direct-to-consumer entertainment offered: the wide variety of the titles and the ability to binge watch entire series.

"DVDs also led to our first foray into original programming — with Red Envelope Entertainment titles including Sherrybaby and Zach Galifianakis Live at the Purple Onion. 

"We feel so privileged to have been able to share movie nights with our DVD members for so long, so proud of what our employees achieved and excited to continue pleasing entertainment fans for many more decades to come. 

"To everyone who ever added a DVD to their queue or waited by the mailbox for a red envelope to arrive: thank you."

The first DVD was shipped by Netflix in 1998, the movie - Beetlejuice.

More than 5.2 billion DVDs have been sent as part of the service, with The Blind Side being the most popular title.

DVD.com has had around 40 million subscribers in its 25 years.

Netflix fans say its the 'end of an era'

Netflix are set to end it's DVD rental service in September. (Image: PA)

The news has been met with mixed reactions on social media following the announcement.

Responding to Netflix's post on Twitter about the end of the service, one fan said: "Noooooooooo!!!!! (with three crying emojis)."

Another person said: "End of an era."

While a third fan added: "This breaks my heart. We try to avoid streaming as much as possible and support physical media. We just watched a movie last night from the dvd catalog. I’m devastated."

While others didn't seem to realise Netflix even offered a DVD rental service.

On Twitter, one person said: "I didn’t even know this existed."

While another posted a gif of Chloe Decker (Lauren German), from the popular Netflix show Lucifer, saying: "You're still doing that?"