Wait… Why do we pay for streaming services again?
We need to own more physical media
Photo courtesy of Lucas Pezeta/Pexels
In a world of streaming services and an ever-expanding digital landscape, anything can disappear, leaving you, the consumer, without access. Of course, you can download a movie or show from your desired streaming platform, giving you the idea of ownership but do you actually own it? Do we truly own our digital copies?
I suspect that an answer to this question can be found in the “Terms of Service” on which we all click “I Agree” without a second thought; we should not be surprised to find that it contains some really important stuff. I could not tell you because, as said, it is not like I actually read these things! Oh well, my only option now is to learn about it on TikTok once it inevitably comes back to haunt me. There is always next time, right?
As reported in APNews, on Oct. 20, 2025, Amazon Web Services (AWS) saw a global outage, affecting multiple sites, including but not limited to Netflix, Disney+, Snapchat, and Amazon. On Oct. 15, 2025, YouTube users experienced a brief outage, with some encountering a “Video Unavailable” screen, while others were stuck in an ad loop with no video playing, according to The Game Post. Unsurprisingly, these are only some of the outages Internet users experience; it seems almost unavoidable.
This leads to the hypothetical question: What if there is no next time? If we keep our favorites downloaded on streaming services—ignoring the download limits imposed by sites like Netflix—and the servers shut down unexpectedly, we cannot enjoy any of these titles. These possibly inevitable outages in today’s digital age are a stark reminder of our complete reliance on technology and the few who control most of the Internet.
If only there were a way to hold your favorite movie, TV show, or album; I think some people would never let go of this experience! Many of us grew up going to Family Video stores, trading in movies on Redbox, and reminiscing over home video tapes. As a society, we have become increasingly disconnected from these physical media collections; many of these means of access no longer exist, fading out of the public interest because of streaming services. Server outages used to be practically meaningless for many individuals, but now it seems like life halts whenever they occur.
The draw of physical media becomes more apparent when we consider the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in streaming services. In an article by Rolling Stone, Spotify appears to be interested in welcoming AI-generated content. Not everyone may be comfortable with the idea of becoming a fan of a band whose music, image, and branding are fake. What if it becomes increasingly challenging to avoid stumbling upon these “bands”? As everything continues to pander to a digital-only world, it is no surprise that owning a CD of your favorite album has become a rare occurrence. I think, however, we need to bring this back; you cannot accidentally listen to an AI-generated band if you know what is on the CD. It is also a lot of fun to watch your CD collection grow, and even better, it is a great way to support artists!
Physical media is not intangible like digital media: You physically own the media, and as long as you have access to the correct player, you will forever be able to enjoy it. With every piece of entertainment at our fingertips, it seems incredibly daunting to start building your library. Stores like Walmart and Barnes & Noble offer a decent variety of movies and TV shows, but they can be more expensive than you are willing to spend. Some cheaper—and more sustainable—options include thrift stores, garage sales, or forums like Facebook Marketplace, where you might discover a favorite without even expecting to! Start by searching for videos you watch the most, and then take it from there.
If these options are still, understandably, a bit too much in this economic climate, your local library will always have countless DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs, and means to play these—get a library card for your local library. Check out some of The Lamron’s articles about the importance and advantages of supporting your local library!
An undeniable benefit of streaming services is that they allow you to explore new movies, shows, and music incredibly easily. I think it is very difficult for us all to totally stop using every service, but at some point, we start paying for much more than we ever thought. Perhaps you are in a financial situation where you can do so, but consider cutting back on these services, keeping only one or two essentials, and try utilizing the numerous library resources available!
It is a bit frightening to consider the possibility of our favorite content disappearing from the various online platforms we enjoy daily. Physically owning a copy of any media allows you to listen to or watch whenever you want; you no longer need to rely on third-party sites. Additionally, as a consumer, I would much prefer to give my money to an artist or association directly rather than a third party. Start your physical media collection and always support your local library!