There are now only a few providers of Blu-ray player equipment left. Along with Panasonic, Sony and Magnetar, LG was one of the last major manufacturers of Blu-ray players, but that now seems to be history. The “latest” products from LG were the UHD players UBK80 and UBK90, which came onto the market 6 years ago (2018). Recently, only the cheaper model LG UBK80 was available in Germany for around 180 euros. It should come as little surprise that, according to various reports, LG has now decided to leave the Blu-ray market forever.
Of course, the reason for the extinction of Blu-ray players is the strong reliance on physical disk sales. So many stores have now stopped selling or renting Blu-ray and DVD discs because consumer sentiment has shifted significantly toward streaming.
However, there are still enthusiasts who do not want to accept that the rights to the media they have purchased can be revoked at any time. Anyone who purchases a film digitally only receives a license to use the product in question, not full ownership. If a film disappears from a provider's library, the buyer can no longer watch it. In addition, the quality is usually worse when streaming than when watching a film from a Blu-ray. And last but not least, physical media can be used to create a trouble-free movie evening even if the internet is down. Die-hard film fans therefore prefer to put relevant films on their own shelves.
Incidentally, LG Korea itself has not yet officially confirmed the company's withdrawal from the Blu-ray market, which leaves the door a little open for a possible comeback if demand increases. However, it is certain that production is currently stopped. If you're still looking for an unusual gift for Christmas, this might be the last time you can get it.
