Sony to End Production of Blu-ray and Optical Storage Media by 2025
Sony is closing the chapter on optical storage media after nearly 20 years in the game. From Blu-ray discs and MiniDiscs to Mini DV cassettes, the company has decided to halt production of these once-popular formats. The decision comes as the demand for physical storage media has steadily declined, making the business unprofitable.
Sony Announces Final Phase-Out
In the summer of 2024, Sony revealed plans to gradually end Blu-ray production. Now, the company has shared an official announcement on its Japanese website (via Tom’s Hardware), confirming the final discontinuation of optical storage media.
“We have decided to end the production of all models of Blu-ray Disc Media, MiniDiscs for recordings, MD Data for recordings, and Mini DV cassettes by February 2025. There will be no successor models. We would like to thank the many customers who have used our products.” — Sony
Preloaded Blu-rays Still in Production
The discontinuation only applies to blank storage media used for customer recording. Sony will continue producing Blu-rays preloaded with content, such as physical copies of PlayStation games. However, the future of this production remains uncertain. In mid-2023, Sony Pictures announced plans to stop selling Blu-ray films and series in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Similarly, Disney recently discontinued the sale of physical media in Australia. Adding to the trend, LG—one of the last manufacturers of Blu-ray players—also announced it would stop producing the devices earlier this year.
The Decline of Optical Media
Blu-ray discs, first introduced in 2006, quickly overtook HD DVDs in the battle for high-definition formats. However, they never achieved the sales heights of DVDs. In recent years, the rise of streaming services has significantly reduced the need for physical media in the entertainment space. As a result, the production of optical media and playback devices is no longer financially viable.
Sony’s decision marks the end of an era, but it reflects the ongoing shift toward digital solutions in today’s media landscape. Whether you’re nostalgic for the days of DVDs and Blu-rays or happy to embrace streaming, one thing is clear—physical media continues to lose its place in the modern world.
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