Lg Ditches Blu-Ray Player Production Amid Streaming Surge

LG Discontinues Blu-ray Player Production as Streaming Dominance Grows

The once-thriving optical disc player market has taken another hit with the announcement that LG will no longer produce Blu-ray players. This decision marks a significant shift in the industry, as the Korean giant joins Oppo and Samsung in abandoning the segment.

It’s been over six years since LG launched its last Blu-ray players, the UBK80 and UBK90 UHD, leaving Panasonic and Sony as the only remaining major manufacturers of these devices. The company’s decision to discontinue production is largely driven by declining sales, which have plummeted with the rise of streaming services.

In the United States, unit sales of Blu-ray players decreased from 25.2 million in 2014 to just 9.1 million in 2018, a staggering drop of over 60%. The latest data shows that DVD and Blu-ray sales in the US dropped by 26% year-over-year in the third quarter of 2024, further underscoring the decline.

The shift towards streaming has been largely driven by the convenience and accessibility it offers. Services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ have revolutionized the way people consume media, with many opting for the ease of on-demand streaming over the need to physically own a Blu-ray disc.

However, some argue that the image quality offered by Blu-ray players is unmatched, with a bitrate that can reach 128 Mbps in the case of 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays. Additionally, Blu-rays tend to offer better audio and less aggressive compression than streaming services, making them an attractive option for audiophiles and those seeking a more immersive viewing experience.

Despite this, the industry has been steadily declining, with Best Buy stopping sales of Blu-ray, Ultra-HD Blu-ray, and DVD movies last year. Sony has also announced its plans to wind down production of recordable Blu-ray media, further cementing the device’s place in the past.

As streaming services continue to gain traction, it’s clear that optical disc players have become an endangered species. From floppy disks to VHS tapes, Betamax, and now Blu-rays, technology has largely been replaced by streaming. The remaining manufacturers, Panasonic and Sony, will likely play a crucial role in keeping physical media options alive.

In the meantime, fans of physical media can take comfort in knowing that there are still high-quality optical disc players available, ensuring that those who value the tangible experience of owning a physical copy of their favorite movies have options.