LG Electronics has officially announced the discontinuation of its entire range of 4K Blu-ray and standard Blu-ray players, marking the end of its manufacturing efforts for these once-popular devices. This decision is part of the broader trend affecting the home entertainment market, where the shift to streaming services is rapidly altering consumer habits.
Historically, the Blu-ray format emerged as the preferred choice for high-definition physical media, offering superior sound and video quality compared to its predecessor, the DVD. The introduction of 4K Blu-ray players promised even more, with the ability to display movies in stunning 4K resolution, which boasts four times the pixel count of regular Blu-ray discs. LG’s UBK80 and UBK90 models, which debuted back in 2018, were among the last offered by the company.
The announcement from LG isn’t entirely surprising. The company had not introduced any new models since the UBK80 and UBK90 were launched, leaving enthusiasts concerned about the future of physical media. Last year, competition from other manufacturers, including the exits of Oppo and Samsung from the 4K Blu-ray player market, created fewer choices for consumers. With LG now stepping back, only Panasonic and Sony remain as significant players still manufacturing dedicated 4K Blu-ray players, along with lesser-known brands like Magnetar and Reavon.
Reportedly, LG’s move follows broader industry trends, particularly the explosive growth of digital streaming services. Companies catering to physical media have struggled to maintain sales as viewers increasingly turn to on-demand streaming platforms for movie and TV show access. For example, Best Buy announced its decision to cease carrying DVD and Blu-ray titles last year, and Netflix began phasing out its DVD rental service as early as 2023.
Despite LG’s exit, it’s important to note the demand for high-quality physical media may not have completely fizzled out. This can be seen with continued interest and sales influence from a few high street retailers. While services like Netflix and Hulu may dominate the market, there’s still a subset of consumers who value the tangible ownership and superior quality provided by Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray players.
Industry veteran LG did comment on the possibility of returning to the Blu-ray player market someday, should market demand rise again. They’ve left the door open, hinting at potential future developments if enough consumers express interest. For now, remaining stock of the already-discontinued UBK80 and UBK90 4K Blu-ray players can still be found, but once they’re sold out, they won’t be restocked.
The rising popularity of game consoles such as the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X has also been part of the discussion around physical media's decline. Both consoles are capable of playing UHD Blu-ray discs and have contributed to perceived interest by offering users another method to access the format. Yet, it’s worth mentioning these consoles do not support the full range of Blu-ray capabilities—neither can play Dolby Vision format movies, which some video enthusiasts covet.
Streaming has made significant advances as well, with more users relying on its convenience, resulting in many dropping their physical media habits altogether. The digital market saw significant revenue generation, with video games and streaming subscriptions quickly overshadowing traditional media sales. According to GamesIndustry.biz, the gap between digital and physical gaming sales is now stark, with estimates highlighting just $9.5 billion earned from physical sales compared to $174.5 billion from digital during one recent year. This trend resonates with the situation faced by Blu-ray, which finds itself fighting against the tides of growing digital consumption.
The current state of 4K Blu-ray looks bleak, but not entirely hopeless. While there remain concerns about the sustainability of this market, some analysts and enthusiasts are clinging to the hope of resurgent interest. The reality of physical media continuing to exist alongside digital platforms might be more balanced than some expect. If LG’s exit creates enough demand from collectors craving high-quality physical iterations, the company could very well reconsider its strategy.
Despite the closure of nearly all major manufacturers making Blu-ray players, consumers still have options available, such as high-performance players from brands like Magnetar. While LG concludes its era, it’s indicative of the industry’s evolution and the growing acceptance of digital streaming among viewers, leading to this inevitable shift away from conventional optical media.
For now, consumers interested in high-definition physical media will have to depend on the few remaining brands still making Blu-ray players. While the market may be shrinking, it’s important to recognize the devoted film enthusiasts still valuing tangible media as it complements their movie-watching experiences. And who knows? With time and shifts back toward owning physical copies, it may be possible to witness yet another revival.
