As reported by Consumer Affairs, data shows that the average price of “video discs and other media” reached $44.06 in April 2024, a 29 percent increase compared to last year. That price may only continue to rise as stores like Best Buy and Target turn away from physical media. I guess I started raiding Walmart’s $5 DVD bin at the right time!
IP owners know an increasing number of people are giving up streaming services and going back to physical, so they're raising the prices on physical to make up for the loss.
Pirating will always be the way.