A recent survey by Cord Cutters News of more than 1,200 readers who have abandoned traditional cable and satellite television subscriptions found that just 34.1 percent continue to rely on DVDs or Blu-ray discs for watching television content. The vast majority reported watching all of their TV through online streaming services instead. This result highlights how thoroughly digital platforms have reshaped home entertainment habits among cord cutters, even as physical media shows modest signs of renewed interest in certain segments of the market.
The survey underscores a clear preference for streaming among most participants. Convenience, vast on-demand libraries, and the ability to access content across multiple devices without managing physical collections appear to drive this shift. While a minority still turns to discs for select viewing, the overall pattern confirms that streaming now dominates daily television consumption for the typical cord cutter.
Despite the low percentage of ongoing physical media users, DVDs and Blu-rays have experienced a slight uptick in popularity in recent periods. Industry observers note that the pace of decline in physical sales has slowed considerably compared to previous years, with some premium formats showing growth. This modest rebound has not altered the broader reality that most cord cutters have moved entirely to streaming for their entertainment needs.
Over the last ten years, the decline of DVDs and Blu-rays has been steep and consistent. Physical media sales have fallen sharply as streaming services expanded their reach and improved in quality and reliability. Total U.S. consumer spending on DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K UHD discs stood at approximately $870 million in 2025 after multiple years of double-digit percentage drops. This follows an even steeper long-term contraction, with overall DVD and Blu-ray sales down 93 percent since 2005. Annual declines often exceeded 15 to 20 percent in many years during the past decade before moderating recently. The shift reflects consumers prioritizing instant access and reduced clutter over ownership of physical products.
Several practical advantages still make DVDs and Blu-rays worth considering for cord cutters who want to supplement their streaming setup. Owning physical copies guarantees permanent access to favorite titles without the uncertainty of licensing expirations or sudden removals from digital libraries. Content remains available regardless of subscription changes or platform decisions.
Blu-ray and especially 4K UHD discs frequently deliver higher video resolution and superior audio fidelity than compressed streaming streams. Home theater setups benefit from higher bitrates and uncompressed sound options that provide a more immersive experience for films and shows optimized for large screens and quality sound systems.
Physical media requires no internet connection, eliminating concerns about buffering, outages, or data caps during viewing. This reliability proves useful during travel, in rural areas with inconsistent broadband, or during weather-related disruptions when streaming becomes unavailable.
For frequent rewatches, purchasing discs can offer better long-term value than ongoing subscription fees. A one-time purchase provides unlimited access without monthly costs, and collections can be passed down, resold, or shared with family and friends.
Many physical releases include exclusive bonus content such as deleted scenes, director commentaries, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and special features that digital versions sometimes omit or limit. These extras enhance appreciation of the material and appeal to dedicated fans.
Physical ownership also sidesteps data collection practices common with streaming services. Viewers can enjoy content without contributing to detailed viewing habit profiles used for recommendations or targeted advertising.
As streaming continues to lead and physical media stabilizes with slower sales declines and growth in higher-end formats, cord cutters have increasing flexibility. Blending the convenience of vast digital libraries with the ownership, quality, and independence of select DVDs and Blu-rays allows households to customize their viewing experience according to priorities around reliability, picture and sound performance, and long-term access. The survey results show that while most have embraced an all-streaming approach, a meaningful portion still values the tangible benefits that physical formats continue to provide.
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