Netflix’s original business model involved mailing physical media to subscribers. Individuals could select movies and television shows from an online catalog, and these selections were delivered via the postal service on DVD. Upon completion of viewing, the discs were returned, allowing for the next selection in the queue to be dispatched.
This service offered a wider selection of titles than were typically available through streaming platforms. For many years, physical media rentals provided a convenient way to access films and television programs not readily accessible digitally. The DVD rental service built a substantial user base prior to the rise of widespread and reliable broadband internet.