Fear not, mateys! Avast ye! Google be scuttlin' Play Movies & TV, but fret not, yer treasures be safe!
2023-12-12
Arr, fear not, matey! Yer treasures o' media shall be safely transported to yon Android TV and YouTube, keepin' 'em secure on the high seas o' technology. A smooth transition awaits ye, me hearties!
Google is shutting down Play Movies & TV and will be moving users' purchased content to other services. This process has been ongoing for the past two years, with the removal of the platform from various smart TVs. The update will roll out over the coming weeks, and on January 17, all purchased and rented content will be officially moved to a new home. Access to the content will depend on the hardware owned by the user.For Android TV or streaming device owners, purchases can be found in the Your Library row on the Shop tab. Cable or set-top box owners powered by Android TV will need to open the YouTube app and go to the Movies & TV section, where media will be under the Purchased tab. The same process applies to web browsers, where users will need to head over to YouTube and navigate to Movies & TV on their account. Content can also be viewed on the Google TV mobile app.
There is a limitation to this transition, as the ability to buy or rent movies on YouTube is only available in select regions. A full list of supporting countries can be found on Google's Help website. Some users have reported receiving the patch earlier than expected, with old movie purchases appearing on YouTube. Google has not clarified if certain countries are being prioritized or if early updates will result in locked content.
It is recommended to check out TechRadar's list of the best Android boxes of 2023 for those looking to upgrade their TV.