Microsoft announced that it will completely shut down its movie and TV app store from today, meaning users will no longer be able to buy or rent new movies and TV series through Xbox or Windows devices. However, previously purchased content can still be played.
According to Microsoft's updatedSupport pageDescription: "Microsoft has stopped offering new entertainment content for purchase on Microsoft.com, the Microsoft Store for Windows, and Xbox. However, previously purchased content can still be played in the Movies & TV app at the highest quality." These content cannot be transferred to other platforms.
For users in the United States, Microsoft recommends using the third-party service Movies Anywhere to sync purchased movies to other supported platforms, such as Apple TV or Prime Video, to avoid being restricted to a single platform. However, this service is currently only available in the United States.
Microsoft's Movies & TV app, originally launched as the Zune Video Marketplace in 2006, was renamed Xbox Video in 2012 and subsequently became the current Movies & TV app. This platform competed with content distribution channels like Apple's iTunes and Amazon's Prime Video, and was part of Microsoft's strategy to establish the Xbox One as a "home entertainment hub."
However, with Microsoft's announcement to terminate the operation of the Movies and TV applications, it means that Microsoft has officially bid farewell to the development of multimedia integrated platforms, and it also echoes Microsoft's recent Xbox business.Reorganization.
Currently, users can still install and use third-party streaming and movie purchasing applications such as Apple TV and Prime Video through Xbox or Windows Store. Microsoft emphasizes that refunds will not be provided for previously purchased content, and only access rights and playback functions will be retained.
