Google is going to discontinue Google Play Movies & TV completely. Users of iOS and Android devices were already switched to the Google TV app, and in October, the app was removed from Android TV as well as from every Roku device and the majority of smart TVs. However, Google outlined in a recently released support document how you’ll be able to watch the TV series and films you’ve purchased through Google Play Movies & TV after the brand permanently disappears in January.
As per Google, starting on January 17, if you own a TV or streaming device that runs Android TV, you will be able to watch content that you have bought or that you wish to rent from the Shop tab. The YouTube app will be your source for renting or watching content from that day on if you have an Android TV-capable cable box or set-top box. YouTube is the place to go when using a browser as well.
For a while now, Google has been gradually driving users away from Google Play Movies & TV, and 9to5Hopefully, the shift won’t be too abrupt as Google notes that the Google Play Movies & TV app on Android TV has already begun pointing to the Shop tab. Notably, even though you’ll be getting the content from a different source, you’ll still be able to watch the things you’ve paid for. This is preferable to Sony’s announcement that it will be removing Discovery content that users have paid for from their libraries.
It’s not just Google that is streamlining its platforms and apps for entertainment. With Apple’s newly updated TV app, you can purchase and rent movies and series, as well as access features like Apple TV Plus, all within one app.
