With the exception of vinyl record sales growth, the demise of physical media is accelerating with big players such as Disney and Best Buy providing alerts that should be heeded by physical media fans.
In addition, Netflix is also playing a part as they have finally ended their DVD-by-mail service.
However, for Netflix that doesn’t seem to be the end of the story as they are now indicating that they are going to add a new experience that is going to take a physical form known as the Netflix House.
Netflix claims that it is going to officially launch this concept in 2025.
What Netflix House Is Supposed to Be
Netflix House is designed to be a “retail destination” that will include shopping, dining, and immersive entertainment. It is also possible that Netflix will include an onsite cinema experience so that fans can watch Netflix movies and shows on the big screen.
Tip: Netflix House is not expected to include a DVD or Blu-ray disc rental or purchase store.
From Josh Simon, Netflix’s VP of consumer products in a statement to Bloomberg News:
“We’ve seen how much fans love to immerse themselves in the world of our movies and TV shows, and we’ve been thinking a lot about how we take that to the next level,”
Netflix wants to take its online merch shop that sells Netflix-related memorabilia, such as Stranger Things T-shirts, and combine it with immersive experiences, such as the Squid Game: The Trials and The Bridgerton Experience, its multimedia experience at The Grove in Los Angeles, and its pop-up restaurant Netflix Bites (now closed) in comprehensive permanent physical locations where fans of Netflix shows and movies can come and experience everything Netflix as well as interact with other fans in person in an actual physical setting.
The first location is expected to be in Los Angeles, branching out to other major cities both inside and outside the U.S. such as Tokyo, New York, and Mexico City.
Once things get rolling, Netflix anticipates that Netflix House will attract repeat business, hopefully, several times a year. To generate that repeat business, Netflix House is supposed to feature both rotating and permanent exhibits and experiences.
Netflix has indicated that it views Netflix House not so much as a big revenue-generator on its own but more promotional tool for its content in a more socially oriented environment.
So far there aren’t any publicly available concept photos and more concept details are expected before the 2025 target date, so stay tuned as this story develops.