Microsoft Quietly Pulls the Plug on Its Motion pictures and TV Retailer

Microsoft abruptly shut down its on-line film and TV retailer. On Friday, the tech large quietly up to date each its general and Xbox assist pages to mirror the adjustments. Customers will now not have the ability to purchase new content material from Microsoft.com and the Microsoft Retailer on Home windows and Xbox. 

Fortunately, Microsoft says should you already personal films or exhibits by the shop you may nonetheless watch them through the Motion pictures & TV app on Xbox and Home windows units. Microsoft says technical assist may even proceed for points with any beforehand bought content material, a minimum of for now.

Sadly, Microsoft says it isn’t offering any refunds or methods for customers to switch their libraries to different digital video companies. Nevertheless, U.S. customers can hyperlink choose titles to Motion pictures Wherever, a platform that consolidates digital purchases from taking part retailers right into a single library.

Microsoft didn’t clarify why it out of the blue shuttered the service. A spokesperson instructed Gizmodo in an e mail that the corporate “has nothing additional to share presently.” 

The transfer seems like a quiet retreat from digital video, as video streaming companies like Netflix and Prime Video reign supreme. Microsoft’s assist web page even directs customers to make use of competing companies.

“The Xbox and Home windows shops produce other leisure companies that provide the newest dwelling leisure releases. The next transactional companies can be found at the moment: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Residence, amongst others,” the corporate mentioned. 

Xbox customers posted on Reddit that they began receiving notifications in regards to the change this morning.

“Microsoft Motion pictures & TV will now not provide films or TV exhibits for buy. You may proceed watching your beforehand bought and private movies on Xbox. Thanks for being a part of the Xbox neighborhood,” the notification mentioned, in keeping with a screenshot on Reddit. 

Some Reddit customers additionally mentioned that they noticed this coming once they observed the variety of sale promotions on the shop began to dwindle in current months. Others are nervous that the Motion pictures & TV app may even ultimately be shut down and that they could completely lose their bought movies. 

This isn’t the primary time Microsoft has backed out of digital media. It shut down its Zune music service in 2015, then closed its successor, Groove Music, in 2017, when it instructed customers to move their playlists to Spotify.