Microsoft has implemented a significant change to its digital storefronts for Xbox and Windows. Effective July 18, the company has ceased the sale and rental of movies and TV shows through these platforms.
Existing purchases will remain accessible through the Movies & TV app. However, users can no longer acquire new content. For those in the US, signing up for Movies Anywhere allows viewing of select previously purchased content on other platforms.
Microsoft has clarified that refunds for these digital media purchases are not available, citing their terms of service which state that movies and TV shows are ineligible for refunds.
While Microsoft has not provided a specific reason for this discontinuation, their FAQ indicates that Xbox and Microsoft Store users can still buy and rent movies and TV shows from various third-party services, such as Prime Video, Fandango at Home, and Apple TV.
The Movies & TV app, originally launched in 2012 as Xbox Video, saw its Xbox 360 version shut down at the end of July 2024.
In related Xbox news, Microsoft recently garnered attention due to significant layoffs, which resulted in game cancellations and the closure of at least one studio. Concurrently, the company is advancing plans for a new console, having recently announced a collaboration with AMD for its development.