Columbia House, a mail-order club known for its offer of 12 CDs for a penny to new members, has declared its closure after being in operation for 71 years. The announcement of the closure, which was initially visible on the company’s website, has since been removed. CBC News has attempted to contact Columbia House for further details regarding its future plans.
The notice of closure was discovered by music enthusiasts over the weekend, stating that after September 15, 2026, Columbia House would cease accepting new orders. Established in 1955 as the Columbia Record Club by Columbia Records, the company aimed to boost music sales in areas lacking access to traditional record stores. Over time, the mail-order business expanded to include new technologies such as cassettes, CDs, and later DVDs of movies and TV series.
Initially attracting customers through magazine and newspaper inserts promising multiple music items for just a penny, Columbia House grew rapidly. By 1994, it had shipped over a billion records and accounted for 15% of CD sales. However, with the rise of online music options, the company’s revenue declined. In 2010, under the ownership of Direct Brands, Columbia House discontinued music sales and shifted its focus exclusively to DVDs. Operations in Canada were also closed at that time.
This recent development echoes the bankruptcy filing of Columbia House’s parent company, Filmed Entertainment Inc., in 2015. Despite struggling, the company had continued to operate by selling DVDs until its recent closure announcement. In a statement in 2015, Columbia House revealed that its revenue peak was in 1996, reaching approximately $1.4 billion US.
The news of Columbia House’s closure comes amidst a resurgence of interest in physical media. Reports indicate a growing demand for vinyl records, with 2025 being a notable year for vinyl sales. Record stores have reported increased business and a renewed interest in analog formats.
While many had bid farewell to Columbia House following its bankruptcy filing in 2015, the recent closure news has prompted music enthusiasts to share nostalgic memories and jokes on social media. Despite the disappearance of the closure notice from the website, CBC News is yet to receive a response from Columbia House.