In an email received today by filmmakers using Vimeo’s “Vimeo on Demand” service (including your intrepid reporter), Vimeo announced the closure of the video rental/purchase platform effective November 20, 2026. The announcement was also added to the Vimeo website in late June.
“Adoption has slowed in recent years, and we believe reallocating resources to our core products will result in a better user experience,” the email read. What might not be clear especially to independent filmmakers, is what Vimeo products will be “core” going forward.
Vimeo has faced ire from filmmakers in recent years for pivoting to corporate customers, attempting to pivot back, removing TV versions of the Vimeo app (then restoring them several years later), and decreasing discoverability features on the platform.
Perhaps most frustrating, and indicative of our times, is the note above that “customers will no longer have access to previously purchased content.” Purchased Content. No longer available. This will inevitably lead to people being frustrated and angry at filmmakers, who in good faith relied on Vimeo, and now no longer have access to films they purchased.