Microsoft Shuts Down Movies and TV Store on Xbox and Windows PCs

Microsoft has shut down its movies and TV store on Xbox consoles and Windows PCs, effective today. Users can no longer purchase new movies or TV shows from the Microsoft Store on these platforms. However, previously purchased content remains accessible on the devices. Microsoft has stated that it will not offer refunds for past purchases, and users will need to rely on the Movies & TV app on Windows or Xbox to play their content.

This move is part of a broader effort by Microsoft to streamline its services and reduce what it refers to as "bloat" within the corporation. Over the past year and a half, Microsoft has conducted multiple rounds of layoffs, despite reporting significant profits. The closure of the Movies & TV store is the latest step in this direction, following the shutdown of the Groove Music service in 2017.

Users in the United States have the option to sync their purchased content with other services that support Movies Anywhere, such as Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV. This provides a measure of security for users concerned about the long-term availability of their digital collections. However, the reliance on Microsoft's continued support for the Movies & TV app and its servers remains a potential risk.

Microsoft's decision to discontinue its movie and TV purchasing and rental service reflects a broader industry trend towards streaming services. As streaming becomes the preferred method for consuming entertainment, the concept of owning digital content has become less appealing. This shift is evident in the growing popularity of services like Netflix, which has reported significant profits and subscriber growth.

Netflix, Microsoft's main competitor in the video streaming market, has seen substantial growth in profits and revenue. The company's content portfolio is expected to attract more subscribers in the second half of the year, potentially benefiting from Microsoft's withdrawal from the digital content ownership market. This trend suggests that Microsoft is focusing its resources on other areas of its business, leaving the digital content market to streaming giants.