Columbia House to shut down after 71 years of operation

Columbia House, the legendary mail-order media company, is scheduled to cease operations on September 15, 2026, after 71 years in business. The company, which began as a record club in 1955, has seen its business model evolve from vinyl and cassette tapes to CDs and DVDs.

At its peak in the 1990s, the company reported approximately $1.4 billion in revenue and maintained millions of members. The brand was well-known for its promotional offers, such as allowing customers to acquire music for a penny, though it also faced historical criticism regarding its billing practices.

The decline of the company is attributed to the rise of digital music services. Following a bankruptcy filing by its parent company in 2015, the brand was acquired by Edge Line Ventures. The closure marks the end of a significant era for physical media consumers.