Microsoft Quietly Pulls the Plug on Its Movies and TV Store

Microsoft abruptly shut down its online movie and TV store. On Friday, the tech giant quietly updated both its general and Xbox support pages to reflect the changes. Users will no longer be able to buy new content from Microsoft.com and the Microsoft Store on Windows and Xbox. 

Thankfully, Microsoft says if you already own movies or shows through the store you can still watch them via the Movies & TV app on Xbox and Windows devices. Microsoft says technical support will also continue for issues with any previously purchased content, at least for now.

Unfortunately, Microsoft says it is not providing any refunds or ways for users to transfer their libraries to other digital video services. However, U.S. users can link select titles to Movies Anywhere, a platform that consolidates digital purchases from participating retailers into a single library.

Microsoft did not explain why it suddenly shuttered the service. A spokesperson told Gizmodo in an email that the company “has nothing further to share at this time.” 

The move appears like a quiet retreat from digital video, as video streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video reign supreme. Microsoft’s support page even directs users to use competing services.

“The Xbox and Windows stores have other entertainment services that offer the latest home entertainment releases. The following transactional services are available today: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home, among others,” the company said. 

Xbox users posted on Reddit that they started receiving notifications about the change this morning.

“Microsoft Movies & TV will no longer offer movies or TV shows for purchase. You can continue watching your previously purchased and personal videos on Xbox. Thank you for being part of the Xbox community,” the notification said, according to a screenshot on Reddit. 

Some Reddit users also said that they saw this coming when they noticed the number of sale promotions on the store started to dwindle in recent months. Others are worried that the Movies & TV app will also eventually be shut down and that they may permanently lose their purchased videos. 

This isn’t the first 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 told users to move their playlists to Spotify.