Sony is officially ending sales of its Blu-ray Disc recorders globally, with shipments ceasing sequentially after February 2026. The move, announced by Sony Japan, marks a significant step away from optical disc recording technology as consumers increasingly shift towards streaming and digital distribution.
The decision isn’t entirely unexpected. Sony had already signaled its intentions to scale back its optical media business, cutting 40% of jobs in that division in July 2024 and confirming in January 2025 that it would discontinue production of recordable Blu-ray discs, MiniDisc, and cassettes. The phasing out of recorders is a logical extension of this strategy.
However, it’s important to note that this change specifically affects Blu-ray recorders with built-in players. Sony has no current plans to stop producing standard Blu-ray and UHD Blu-ray players designed solely for movie playback. Several models are already discontinued, including the BDZ-ZW1900 (released in 2024) and the BDZ-FBT4200, BDZ-FBT2200, and BDZ-FBW2200 models from 2023. Remaining recorder models will be phased out gradually after .
The decline in demand for Blu-ray recorders is a key factor driving this decision. Sales figures from Japan illustrate this trend dramatically. In 2011, Sony sold 6.39 million Blu-ray recorders in Japan alone. By , that number had plummeted to just 620,000 units, according to Kyōdō Tsūshinsha. This steep decline mirrors the broader shift in consumer behavior towards streaming services like Netflix and other digital content platforms.
Sony’s exit from the Blu-ray recorder market follows similar moves by other major manufacturers. Oppo, Samsung, and LG have all previously abandoned Blu-ray players entirely. Currently, Sony, Panasonic, and a handful of high-end niche brands remain as key players in the Blu-ray and UHD Blu-ray player market. The future of Sony’s involvement in even this segment remains a question mark, particularly in light of its evolving business strategy.
This broader strategy involves a shift away from hardware manufacturing and towards entertainment content. Sony is increasingly focusing on businesses like anime and film production, aiming to accelerate expansion in areas where it anticipates greater growth potential. This is underscored by the recent announcement of a partnership with TCL, where Sony will outsource the manufacturing of TVs and home entertainment devices, while retaining the Sony and Bravia brands.
The move to discontinue Blu-ray recorders also reflects a larger trend within Sony. The company is streamlining its operations and prioritizing areas of growth, even if it means exiting established markets. The optical media division, once a cornerstone of Sony’s business, has become increasingly less profitable in the face of digital alternatives.
While the end of Blu-ray recorder production marks the end of an era for physical media enthusiasts, it doesn’t necessarily signal the immediate demise of the Blu-ray format itself. Sony continues to support Blu-ray playback, and the format still offers advantages in terms of video and audio quality for those who prefer physical media. However, the writing is on the wall: the future of home entertainment is increasingly digital, and Sony is positioning itself to capitalize on that shift.
The decision to exit the Blu-ray recorder market is a clear indication that Sony is adapting to a changing landscape. The company is betting on content and partnerships, rather than hardware, as the key to its future success in the entertainment industry. For consumers, this means fewer options for recording television broadcasts and creating physical backups, but also a greater focus on streaming and on-demand content.
