Tariffs = NA physical media price rises incoming?

[GlacierTuba]

Just thinking there with the tariffs announced in North America and Mexico, what kind of impact it will have on the cost of physical media in the region?

It had me mulling it over as I've imported titles from the USA before and often see Hecho en Mexico stamped on the outer wrapper of a physical media title. Also wondering it wouldn't just impact pressing plants for assembly import/export processes, but also the components used to manufacture discs too. It's pretty far-reaching when you think about it.

I'd imagine physical media in the region is about to get a lot more expensive. News articles such as that linked below dont help either. I have a feeling tariffs might accelerate the obsolescence of physical media too.

https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/24/2...n-no-successor

Your thoughts?

[Cardboard_killer]

I would not expect it to be a significant increase; indeed, for those in nations not involved in the tariffs, you will probably see lower prices on other nations' imports.

[Anthony P]

tariffs, yes they will increase the cost and so the final price paid by consumers in the US. But it is a luxury item (i,e. don't need to live if someone buys 5 films a week they can just buy 4 films instead if they don't want to spend more, if they buy every couple of months they can just try and wait it out). That is what tariffs are usually there for, increase cost of import making it more attractive for stuff manufactured inside the country. Bigger issue is none luxury items like groceries, gas and electricity.

As for physical media, at the personal level, like the example above, it can make a difference, but accelerating obsolescence is a ridiculous notion.
1) The person buying Title x for 20$ knows he is paying a premium over streaming where for 20$ he can watch as much as he wants and if it is 25$ (added 25%) he will most likely have the same preference and still be willing to pay a premium . To put it differently some people some times like going to the buffet to eat as much as they can for that low price and some people some times are willing o pay more to go to a nice expensive restaurant to eat better.
2) Mexico is not the only place to replicate physical media, if studios do see it as a problem for titles for the US 9and possibly Canadaian market) they can always shift production.

As for the article it is about writable media 9for a device that is 20 years old) and not content distribution

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by Cardboard_killer

I would not expect it to be a significant increase; indeed, for those in nations not involved in the tariffs, you will probably see lower prices on other nations' imports.

true, for Mexico Tarrifs are not applicable neither south of their border. this applies to the USA and possibly Canada to a lesser degree. there is a whole world past that

[Deadend45]

Wonder how long until this thread is deleted? lol

[Deadend45]

There must be an reward for creating the 10000th thread about BD blank media that sony announced early last year.

[sfmarine]

It would be great if this means no more discs pressed in Mexico.

[MrHT]

I guess this means more digital purchases and less physical media for me. But sometimes physical media can’t be avoided because there are still so many titles available on physical media that aren’t available to purchase digitally.

[Hitman Horton]

Originally Posted by GlacierTuba

Just thinking there with the tariffs announced in North America and Mexico, what kind of impact it will have on the cost of physical media in the region?

It had me mulling it over as I've imported titles from the USA before and often see Hecho en Mexico stamped on the outer wrapper of a physical media title. Also wondering it wouldn't just impact pressing plants for assembly import/export processes, but also the components used to manufacture discs too. It's pretty far-reaching when you think about it.

I'd imagine physical media in the region is about to get a lot more expensive. News articles such as that linked below dont help either. I have a feeling tariffs might accelerate the obsolescence of physical media too.

https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/24/2...n-no-successor

Your thoughts?

Just popped in to point out that Mexico is part of North America. Also, the tariffs are scheduled to take effect Tuesday. Wait and see what happens between now and then.

[scififan73]

Originally Posted by sfmarine

It would be great if this means no more discs pressed in Mexico.

Of course, the American replicating plants would've never left in the first place if people in general hadn't stopped buying media. Outliers on forums excepted, we are the .00000001%.

[sfmarine]

Originally Posted by scififan73

Of course, the American replicating plants would've never left in the first place if people in general hadn't stopped buying media. Outliers on forums excepted, we are the .00000001%.

Indeed we are. 4K =niche within a niche.

[Vilya]

Tariffs on Mexico have been paused for a month. See your preferred news site for details.

[sfmarine]