Microsoft has made a significant adjustment to its digital content offerings, effective July 18. As of this date, the company no longer provides movies or TV shows for purchase or rental through its Xbox consoles or the Windows web store.
While the option to acquire new content has been removed, users can still access any films or series they previously purchased via the dedicated Movies & TV application. For customers in the United States, there is an additional provision: linking their accounts with Movies Anywhere allows for continued viewing of selected purchased content on other compatible services.
For those contemplating a refund for their digital movie and TV purchases, Microsoft has clarified that such requests are not permissible. The company refers to its existing terms and conditions, which specify that digital movies and TV shows are not eligible for refunds.
Microsoft has not publicly disclosed the underlying reasons for this strategic shift. However, their Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section regarding the change indicates that Xbox and Microsoft Store users retain numerous alternatives for buying and renting movie and TV programming. These options include popular platforms such as Prime Video, Fandango at Home, and Apple TV, among others.
The Movies & TV application, which was initially launched as Xbox Video, first debuted in 2012. Notably, the version of the Movies & TV app designed for the Xbox 360 console was decommissioned at the end of July 2024.
In other recent developments concerning Xbox, Microsoft has been in the news due to a recent wave of mass layoffs. These organizational changes led to the cancellation of various game projects and the closure of at least one game development studio. Despite these internal restructuring efforts, Microsoft is reportedly moving forward with the development of a new console, having recently announced a collaborative partnership with AMD for this endeavor.