Netflix to bring down the curtain on its DVD-by-mail service

Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. poised / pɔɪzd / (adj.) – prepared to do something
    Example:

    She was poised to lead the team to succeed.


  2. treasure / ˈtrɛʒ ər / (v.) – to give importance to something
    Example:

    He treasures this painting as this is his son’s first artwork.


  3. obscure / əbˈskyʊər / (adj.) – unknown or relating to something that people are unfamiliar with
    Example:

    He might be a famous author, but he still has a lot of obscure novels.


  4. wax / wæks / (v.) – to write or say something in a particular way according to emotions currently experienced
    Example:

    The author waxed nostalgic about his life as a teenager. He said he longs to go back to that time of his life.


  5. forthcoming / ˈfɔrθˈkʌm ɪŋ / (adj.) – about to happen; upcoming
    Example:

    The speaker is preparing his presentation for the forthcoming conference.


Article

Read the text below.

Netflix is poised to shut down the DVD-by-mail rental service that set the stage for its trailblazing video streaming service, ending an era that began a quarter century ago when delivering discs through the mail was considered a revolutionary concept.


The DVD service, which still delivers films and TV shows in the red-and-white envelopes that once served as Netflix’s emblem, plans to mail its final discs on Sept. 29.


But the DVD-by-mail service still has die-hard fans who continue to subscribe because they treasure finding obscure movies that aren’t widely available on video streaming. Many subscribers still wax nostalgic about opening their mailbox and seeing the familiar red-and-white envelopes awaiting them instead of junk mail and a stack of bills.


“Those iconic red envelopes changed the way people watched shows and movies at home — and they paved the way for the shift to streaming,” Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos wrote in a blog post about the DVD service’s forthcoming shutdown.


With just a little over five months of life remaining, the DVD service has shipped more than 5 billion discs across the U.S. — the only country in which it ever operated. Its ending echoes the downfall of the thousands of Blockbuster video rental stores that closed because they couldn’t counter the threat posed by Netflix’s DVD-by-mail alternative.


Even subscribers who remain loyal to the DVD service could see the end coming as they noticed the shrinking selection in a library that once boasted more than 100,000 titles. Some customers also have reported having to wait longer for discs to be delivered as Netflix closed dozens of DVD distribution centers with the shift to streaming.


“Our goal has always been to provide the best service for our members but as the business continues to shrink that’s going to become increasingly difficult,” Sarandos acknowledged in his blog post.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Netflix is shutting down its DVD-by-mail service although there are still die-hard fans subscribed to it. Do you agree with Netflix’s decision? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Netflix’s goal has always been to provide its members with the best service. In your opinion, how else can Netflix improve its service (ex. have a wider selection of shows, dub the shows in different languages)? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Do you think all movies, old and new, should be on a streaming platform like Netflix? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Do you think movie producers will still make DVDs available for people to buy? Why or why not? Discuss.