OTT platforms were supposed to be the next stable thing in the future, and without any doubt, they are moving towards that future. However, like the wheel of fate, more and more creators are ditching OTT platforms and advocating for physical copies, and they have good reasons for doing so.
On paper, OTT is more convenient for users and is irreplaceable in the entertainment sector. Still, some creators might rebel against it. Keeping convenience aside, OTT is acquainted with a certain threat: what if they remove content?
In most cases, while platforms give users the illusion of control over what and how they watch, OTT does pull the strings. In recent interviews, Nolan criticized the recent uncontrolled activity of OTT, expressing concern about the removal of content.
Nolan, a man who loves his craft immensely, encourages fans to own physical copies of the cinema they love. He stated that fans should own Oppenheimer on Blu-ray so that “no evil streaming service can come steal it from you.”
“There is a danger these days that if things only exist in the streaming version, they do get taken down; they come and go,” Nolan added.
Acquiring more physical copies helps makers receive more financial support as profits go directly to the creators. Additionally, owning physical copies eliminates the threat of mistreatment by streaming platforms, which is becoming more common. Also, not all movies are streamed in every country, so owning a physical copy provides the bragging rights to stream it anywhere without restrictions.
Now, more creators are joining the rally for Nolan’s pursuit of physical copies. Guillermo del Toro is one such name emphasizing the importance of owning a physical copy.
“Physical media is almost a Fahrenheit 451 level of responsibility,” del Toro wrote to his followers. “If you own a great 4K HD, Blu-ray, DVD, etc., of a film or films you love…you are the custodian of those films for generations to come.”
As two of the biggest names in the industry push the narrative of buying physical copies, more names might join sooner than expected. Factually, owning our favorite movie in physical form makes sense as we stream everything else on OTT without restrictions.