We’ve got good news and bad news
Disney has reportedly signed a deal with Sony for it to take over all of its physical media production, such as 4K Blu-ray, going forward, sources close to the matter told The Digital Bits. The news follows reports that it has also decided to close Disney Movie Club, a subscription service and online store where members could access Blu-Rays and DVDs of their favorite Disney titles.
As part of the new deal, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will be responsible for the production and distribution of all physical media, including new releases and classic titles, to shipping companies and retailers in the US and Canada (there is no word on other territories yet).
Disney has been focusing more and more on its streaming strategy – Disney Plus – for years, placing less importance on physical media, which was evidenced by the news that Disney is killing 4K Blu-ray production in Australia after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was the final Blu-ray released in the country on August 1, 2023.
According to Digital Bits, the decision comes after not only a declining interest in physical media (with sales across all digital media reported to have fallen 25.3% in 2023, according to Media Play News) but also ineffective and time-consuming decision making in regards to physical media at Disney itself.
