Columbia House, the iconic mail-order club known for its offer of 12 CDs for a penny to new members, has announced its closure after operating for 71 years. The company, which halted music sales and Canadian operations in 2010, recently removed the closure notice from its website. Music enthusiasts discovered the announcement over the weekend, stating that Columbia House would stop accepting new orders after September 15, 2026.
Established in 1955 as Columbia Record Club by Columbia Records, the company aimed to reach consumers in areas without access to traditional record stores. The mail-order business thrived, adapting to new technologies such as cassettes and CDs, and later expanding to include DVDs of movies and TV shows. Customers were initially attracted by promotions in magazines and newspapers offering multiple music items for a penny, as long as they committed to purchasing a minimum number of releases monthly.
Despite its initial success, Columbia House faced declining revenue as online music options became more prevalent. In 2010, under the ownership of Direct Brands, the company shifted its focus from music to DVDs and ceased Canadian operations. Following its parent company’s bankruptcy filing in 2015, Columbia House continued to operate primarily through DVD sales until the recent closure announcement.
Notably, Columbia House reported its revenue peak in 1996 at around $1.4 billion US. The news of its closure comes at a time when there is a resurgence in physical media consumption, with vinyl sales experiencing a notable increase in recent years. Fans of Columbia House are reminiscing about the company’s legacy on social media, with some humorously recalling past dealings with the mail-order club.
CBC News has reached out to Columbia House for further details following the removal of the closure notice from its website but has not yet received a response.