UPDATE 8/22: Netflix now says that you can keep those extra DVDs, though you can still send them back if you don't want the extra clutter.
Original Story:Netflix’s DVD-by-mail service is coming to an end next month, but not before it gives one final surprise to subscribers: a potential stack of movies and TV shows to watch.
Netflix is offering up to 10 extra discs to subscribers before things shut down.
“Let’s have some fun for our finale! If you click below by August 29th, you could find up to 10 extra discs in your mailbox,” Netflix wrote in an email to subscribers. “These finale discs will be sent out on September 29th, our very last shipping day.”
The offer is US only and available while supplies last. Subscribers who haven’t received the email yet can also visit dvd.netflix.com/FinaleSurprise to opt into the offer. The last day to sign up for the DVD-by-mail extras is Aug. 28.
The deal is certainly a notable way to end things for DVD-by-mail service, which is how Netflix began when it was founded in 1997. But the company isn’t giving the extra discs out for free. Netflix told PCMag that subscribers are expected to return the additional discs by Oct. 27.
The company has been running the DVD-by-mail service for over 25 years, but decided to shut it down this year, as the business becomes obsolete in the era of video streaming.
It's not clear what Netflix will do with its huge stockpile of DVDs and Blu-ray discs. But according to a company support document, Netflix is "unable to sell discs from our rental inventory.”