Columbia House Is Shutting Down
We, too, were shocked they still existed
Columbia House, a 71-year-old mail-order music club still operational in 2026, has announced its permanent closure. According to the company's website, new orders will cease after September 15, 2026. Customers can continue purchasing books using credit cards or credits.
The company was established in 1955 as Columbia Record Club by its namesake music label. It aimed to deliver albums to difficult-to-reach consumers at a low cost, promising additional releases at full price in the future. Columbia House reached its pinnacle of 16 million members in 1996, thanks to extensive advertising featuring a catchy theme song.
The company underwent multiple ownership changes and filed for bankruptcy in 2015, discontinuing music sales in favor of DVDs. While Columbia House was well-known for its CD offerings, it faced criticism for questionable practices like negative option billing, which compelled customers to pay even after opting out of a service.
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