Google is bidding farewell to its Play Movies & TV app, concluding its 12-year run and steering users towards the Google TV app. The transition, scheduled for January 17, 2024, is part of Google’s strategy to streamline services and enhance user accessibility. The move comes as Google progressively moves away from the Play Movies & TV brand, emphasizing simplicity in the user experience.
Starting January 17, 2024, users of Android TV-powered TVs and streaming devices will find their purchased and rented content under the “Your Library” row within the Shop tab in the Google Play environment. Access to this content will be device-dependent, and Google aims to facilitate a smooth transition, allowing customers to seamlessly continue watching their content.
For users of Android TV cable or set-top boxes, the content shift will take place within the YouTube app, providing a centralized hub for both old and new content. Meanwhile, users accessing their content via browsers will need to visit the YouTube website for a similar experience.
Google’s gradual departure from the Play Movies & TV app includes earlier steps such as migrating Android and iOS users to the Google TV app, removing the app from Roku and most smart TVs, and discontinuing support for Android TV in October. This transition aligns with the broader industry trend of consolidating entertainment platforms, akin to Apple’s unified TV app, offering a one-stop destination for content consumption.
Existing users need not worry about losing access to their purchased titles, as Google assures a seamless transition. Whether on Android TV devices, Google TV devices, the Google TV mobile app (available on Android and iOS), or YouTube, previously purchased titles, including active rentals, will remain accessible. The company provides clear instructions tailored to different devices, ensuring users can navigate the changes effortlessly.
Launched in 2011, the Google Play Movies & TV app served as a digital marketplace and library for movies and TV shows. However, with the advent of Google TV in 2020, a more streamlined approach emerged, prioritizing content over individual apps. Google’s decision to retire the Play Movies & TV app aligns with industry shifts towards unified entertainment platforms, with Apple adopting a similar strategy by refreshing its TV app to encompass various services under one roof.
