The emergence of high-speed internet has led to shrinking DVD and CD sales over the last fifteen years or so. As seen in what we still refer to as our monthly “cable bill,” technological advances have expanded the options for watching movies and television shows and listening to our favorite music. But while the ease and convenience of streaming channels and digitized media add a level of convenience, they quietly and painlessly chip away at values we once held dear. Join us on the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast as we dive into the decline in physical media and its social impacts.

Send us a comment to let us know about your own physical media library—and if you’re still hanging on to those VHS cassettes!

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References

Bohlmann, Garrett. “Is physical media in both a state of decline and renaissance at the same time?” Houston Public Media. (2024 November 14). https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/shows/houston-matters/2024/11/14/506088/is-physical-media-in-both-a-state-of-decline-and-renaissance-at-the-same-time/

Conroy, J. Oliver. “The film fans who refuse to surrender to streaming: ‘One day you’ll barter bread for our DVDs’.” (2024 March 27). https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/mar/27/the-film-fans-who-refuse-to-surrender-to-streaming-one-day-youll-barter-bread-for-our-dvds#:~:text=Movies-,The%20film%20fans%20who%20refuse%20to%20surrender%20to%20streaming%3A%20'One,save%20a%20seemingly%20dying%20format%3F

Nomad over Normal. (2025). “Why Physical Media is Making a Necessary Comeback.” [Film]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igSN1H_tCpg.

Zannat, Zaziratul. “The slow fade of CDs and DVDs: A reflection on the loss of physical media.” The Business Standard. (2025 March 14).

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