If you’re someone who can’t part with that DVD collection crowding your TV space, checking for the unfortunate reality of “disc rot” might be worthwhile. Warner Bros. has confirmed that select DVD titles produced from 2006 to 2008 are susceptible to early degradation, and they are providing replacements—though you might not get the same movie you sent in.

Chris Bumbray, Editor-in-Chief of JoBlo, recently highlighted that several Warner Bros DVDs from his collection were malfunctioning or not playing properly.

Warner Bros released this statement:
“Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is aware of potential issues affecting select DVD titles manufactured between 2006 – 2008, and the company has been actively working with consumers to replace defective discs.”

While they strive to provide the same title where feasible, some affected titles may no longer be available or their rights may have expired, prompting the offer of an exchange for a similarly valued title.

This approach seems somewhat limited in utility. Considering that DVD collectors represent a niche market and optical media is slowly fading—“a death by a thousand cuts”—it’s not surprising that Warner Bros isn’t keen on ramping up production just to replace your defective copy of Chill Out, Scooby-Doo!

Disc rot, also known as laser rot, is a phenomenon where optical discs deteriorate underneath the reflective layer. This leads to an adhesive breakdown, often creating visible milky spots on the surface, making the discs unplayable.

Currently, no remedy exists for this issue, meaning if your discs are becoming more akin to coasters than functional media, you might hold a collection of former prized possessions.

A typical DVD has a life expectancy of 30 to 100 years. Therefore, seeing Warner Bros. addressing the problem by exchanging them with some equivalent—even if they can’t promise the exact movies—is commendable.