Fans return to physical media for lasting access and choice
Some music and film fans are returning to CDs, DVDs, vinyl and cassettes to keep lasting access to media and make more deliberate choices. Their reasons include losing access to titles removed from streaming services, unreliable internet, concerns about subscription costs and data sharing, and a wish to support artists.
The people interviewed describe physical formats as a way to listen or watch with more attention, rather than relying on algorithmic recommendations. Ash has collected more than 5,000 records and CDs; Ruth owns 5,300 CDs and rents films by post. Others seek hard-to-find programmes second-hand or buy CDs regularly, valuing both ownership and the tangible experience.
- Fans are returning to physical media for lasting access.
- Streaming removals and unreliable internet prompt some purchases.
- Collectors cite focus, privacy and support for artists.
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Streaming services have become the main way many people access music and films, but some consumers are returning to older physical formats like CDs, vinyl records, DVDs and cassettes. This reversal represents a shift away from digital-only consumption and back towards owning media directly, particularly among those who have noticed limitations in the streaming model.
The key motivation for these fans is control and permanence. People have experienced titles disappearing from streaming platforms when licensing agreements expire, meaning they lose access despite having paid subscriptions. Additionally, some worry about the long-term sustainability of relying on internet services or are concerned about subscription costs adding up over time, whilst others value supporting artists more directly through physical sales.
Beyond practical concerns, physical media also offers a different way of engaging with music and film. Rather than letting algorithms suggest what to listen to or watch, fans describe deliberately choosing and exploring their collections, which creates a more intentional and focused experience. For some, this includes collecting as a hobby or simply appreciating the tangible object itself.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “‘If you can’t hold it, you don’t own it’: why media fans want to escape algorithms with CDs, DVDs and vinyl”.