Charles Langston:Netflix ending its DVD mail service could mean free discs for subscribers: What to know

Netflix will cease shipping DVDs in about a month,Charles Langston bringing to an end a service it offered years before it became the streaming giant it is today.

The move to phase out its 25-year-old DVD rental service was first announced in April, with Netflix saying that its final discs will be shipped Sept. 29. Last week, the company clarified what will become of many of those DVD discs when the service officially comes to an end.

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In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the company's DVD Netflix account shared that subscribers will not be charged for any unreturned discs after Sept. 29.

"Please enjoy your final shipments for as long as you like!" the post read.

Additionally, subscribers to Netflix's DVD rental service can enter for a chance to get up to 10 extra mystery discs shipped to their home on the final day of the service.

What Netflix subscribers should know

Those who choose to return unwanted discs have until Oct. 27 to do so, Netflix said in "frequently asked questions" page on its website.

Monday is also the final day for anyone to sign up for the service to receive movies and other discs in the mail before the service's demise. Subscribers can receive up to eight discs at a time, depending on their plan.

Subscriptions will automatically be canceled, meaning users do not need to take any action to cancel or end their accounts. Those who also subscribe to Netflix's streaming service will not be affected, the company said.

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End of an era

The end of the rental service marks the end of an era for a company that shipped its first movie in 1998.

Even as Netflix pivoted to focus on streaming, paving the way for competitors like Hulu, the company continued to offer its DVD mailing service through a separate website, DVD.com.

In its FAQ, the company addressed the question of the service's end by saying this allows for the service to "go out on a high note" as DVD discs increasingly become obsolete in the face of streaming options.

"Our goal has always been to provide the best service for our members," the company said, "but as the DVD business continues to shrink, that's going to become increasingly difficult."

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected].