Select a region
Amazon’s Lovefilm by Post DVD rental service will close at the end of the October in the UK, the tech giant has said.
In a statement, Amazon said the rise of streaming services over renting DVD and Blu-Ray discs had contributed to its decision.
Many present and former users of the service quickly took to social media upon hearing the news, with many expressing their disappointment.
@lovefilm please don't close down I love getting my dvds from you
— Libby Horsman (@libbyhorsman) August 14, 2017
Just heard @lovefilm is closing down. I used to LOVE this service! No surprise though, the days of DVDs are coming to an end. 💿🎥
— Joe (@itsjoerack) August 14, 2017
Shame Amazon choose not to support @lovefilm anymore. Absolutely no way streaming can replace this service unless choice is more varied
— Kim Taylor (@kimtaylor991) August 14, 2017
The service which was launched in 2004 and Amazon acquired in 2011, enabled subscribers to receive DVD discs by post, sending them back once they had watched them.
Lovefilm did introduce streaming options for some content, but the popularity of Netflix and other streaming services has led to what Amazon described as “decreasing demand” for discs.
The online section of the service was then combined with Amazon’s existing Prime Instant Video service in 2014.
However many lamented the loss of a service they saw as having no rival in terms of variety.
Really disappointed to hear that @AmazonUK won't be posting @lovefilm anymore. We go through 4 discs a week, so demand can't be that bad!
— Rebecca Walford (@RebeccaWalford) August 14, 2017
Really disappointed to hear that @AmazonUK won't be posting @lovefilm anymore. We go through 4 discs a week, so demand can't be that bad!
— Rebecca Walford (@RebeccaWalford) August 14, 2017
“We have very much enjoyed delivering the Lovefilm By Post service to our customers,” an Amazon spokesman said on the closure.
“However, over the last few years we’ve seen a decreasing demand for DVD and Blu-ray rental as customers increasingly move to streaming.
“Due to this, we will be closing the Lovefilm By Post business on 31st October 2017. We are committed to finding alternative roles for all Lovefilm employees within Amazon.”
