Columbia House, the mail-order media company famous for its penny-per-record membership offers, is closing down after 71 years in business. The company confirmed to CNN that it will cease operations on 15 September 2026, following a since-removed closure notice that briefly appeared on its official website, bringing an end to a business that once symbolised an entire era of physical media retail.

Founded as a record club in 1955, Columbia House shifted its offerings over the decades from vinyl and reel-to-reel through 8-tracks, cassettes, CDs and DVDs. At its 1990s peak it boasted millions of members and generated $1.4 billion in annual revenue, having famously lured customers with deals such as 11 records or tapes for a penny in 1985. The rise of digital music services like iTunes triggered a long decline, leading its parent company to file for bankruptcy in 2015, after which the brand was bought by Edge Line Ventures; it will now shut for good next month.