In a significant shift in retail strategy, Best Buy has announced its plans to stop selling physical media, including DVDs, Blu-rays, and Ultra HD Blu-rays, starting in 2024. This decision marks a significant if expected change in the landscape of media consumption and the end of an era for Best Buy customers who have long enjoyed perusing aisles filled with a wide array of movies and television shows.

The move away from physical media has been attributed to the changing habits of consumers, who increasingly prefer streaming and digital downloads over traditional physical formats. This trend has been evident over the last decade as DVD and Blu-ray sales have experienced a significant decline. As a result, Best Buy's stores have gradually reduced their physical media sections, focusing instead on new releases and seasonal offerings.

Best Buy's decision was first reported by The Digital Bits in October 2023 and later confirmed by the company to the Associated Press.

The precarious relationships that streaming platforms have, even with their original shows, have led to a slight resurgence in the popularity of physical media.

According to Best Buy, this strategic change allows the company to dedicate more of its existing floor space to newer as well as more innovative technologies. While physical video games will continue to be sold for the time being, the future of physical game sales remains uncertain as digital downloads and streaming grow in popularity.