Windows

As of July 18, 2025, Microsoft has officially discontinued the purchase and rental of movies and TV shows via its Xbox and Windows storefronts.

✅ Access to previously purchased content remains available
❌ No new content can be bought or rented
🛠️ Support for playback issues will continue
📲 Only playable via the Movies & TV app on Windows/Xbox

A Microsoft support page confirmed, “Microsoft no longer offers new entertainment content for purchase, including movies and TV shows, on Microsoft.com, the Microsoft Store on Windows, and the Microsoft Store on Xbox.”

Notably, no refunds will be issued for past purchases. However, US users can still sync eligible content with Movies Anywhere to retain access across platforms like Apple TV, Prime Video, and others.

🎬 From Zune to Zero
Once launched as Zune Video Marketplace, later rebranded to Xbox Video, and finally Movies & TV, the store has now officially ended a long transition to obsolescence.

💼 MSFT’s Shift Away from Content Retail
This move follows Microsoft’s broader strategy to cut “bloat,” including multiple rounds of layoffs — despite a staggering $171 billion in profit last year.

📉 A Gap Competitors Will Fill
With Microsoft stepping back, Netflix, Apple, and Amazon are poised to capitalize.
Netflix, in particular, crushed Wall Street expectations this quarter with $3.1 billion in profit, up 46% YoY.

🎯 The company also raised its revenue forecast, citing strong growth and production investments across the US — a possible nod to President Trump, whose tariff threats loom over foreign entertainment.

Netflix has invested $125 billion in the US between 2020–2024, with sound stages in New Mexico and New Jersey, reaffirming its domestic focus.

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📌 End of an era for Microsoft entertainment. But the streaming war is just heating up.

#Microsoft #Xbox #Windows #DigitalMedia #MSFT