Apple Removes Option to Buy TV Shows and Movies in iOS 17.2 iTunes Store App

[MacRumors]

With the launch of iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2, Apple made a server side change that removes the option to purchase and access TV shows and movies from the iTunes Store app.

Attempting to access the TV Shows and Movies sections in the app directs users to the Apple TV app instead. "iTunes Movies and Your Purchases Have Moved," reads the app's message. "You can buy or rent movies and find your purchases in the Apple TV app."

During the beta testing process, the iTunes Store app continued to offer access to TV shows and movies, so this is a change that Apple made to its servers. With this update, Apple says in a support document that it is no longer possible to gift movies or TV shows on an iPhone running iOS 17.2 or later, on an iPad running iPadOS 17.2 or later, or on an Apple TV running tvOS 17.2 or later.

Apple made the same tweak to tvOS 17.2 during the tvOS 17.2 beta testing process. The standalone iTunes TV and iTunes Movies apps in tvOS are no longer functional, and redirect users to the TV app on the Apple TV. Apple also redesigned the look of the TV app on the Apple TV, but no notable changes have been made to the Apple TV app on the iPhone and iPad.

Apple is directing users to the TV app in order to aggregate all TV and movie content in one place. The iTunes Store app on iPhone and iPad continues to offer options to purchase music.

Article Link: Apple Removes Option to Buy TV Shows and Movies in iOS 17.2 iTunes Store App

 

[ttam110]

RIP user reviews and ratings

 

[contacos]

Long gone are the days where I would spent hours optimizing metadata of all my music and movies / tv shows. It was fun while it lasted. Kids these days will never know what a pain it was to use Limewire or EMule

 

[jz0309]

Grrrr, so now I’m forced to use that stupid TV app, I guess I’m gonna drag my update out

 

[bertiespeirs]

Currently you cannot buy entire shows in the Apple TV app - only seasons. This screws customers out of the best deals for long running multi-season shows.

After checking a new install, 17.2 FINALLY ADDS the option to buy entire shows in the TV app! It puts these under a new 'Box Set' section for shows that have "The Complete Series" option. justanthonylee is correct!

 

[Cobra Kai]

I always purchased Movies & TV Shows via the iTunes App. For whatever reason, they were actually cheaper than buying the same show or movie via the TV App. Plus iTunes let you buy the complete series for a lower cost. The TV App makes you buy each season individually at full price.

 

[nigameash]

Currently you cannot buy entire shows in the Apple TV app - only seasons. This screws customers out of the best deals for long running multi-season shows.

Yep, not being able to purchase full shows is a huge blow. I'll be holding off updating for as long as possible due to this.

 

[justanthonylee]

Currently you cannot buy entire shows in the Apple TV app - only seasons. This screws customers out of the best deals for long running multi-season shows.

That is just NOT the case. You can purchase a complete series in one purchase in the Apple TV app.

 

[smorrissey]

16.x.x also released mmm one of two, ios 17 still not ready or securit bugs fixes..

 

[Tuppery Numnak]

So no more wishlist? COOL, APPLE. Not that the wishlist was even that good, since it didn’t let you know if a movie went on sale. No wishlist within the TV app.

 

[maverick100]

Currently you cannot buy entire shows in the Apple TV app - only seasons. This screws customers out of the best deals for long running multi-season shows.

Just updated the iPhone; The option to purchase Boxed sets has been added to the TV App. Just did a quick review. Will continue to check once the iPad is finished

 

[justanthonylee]

Just updated the iPhone; The option to purchase Boxed sets has been added to the TV App. Just did a quick review. Will continue to check once the iPad is finished

It's been present for a LONG time on the Mac version also.

 

[fwmireault]

Just updated the iPhone; The option to purchase Boxed sets has been added to the TV App. Just did a quick review. Will continue to check once the iPad is finished

I can confirm this

 

[justanthonylee]

Yep, not being able to purchase full shows is a huge blow. I'll be holding off updating for as long as possible due to this.

Except it's not the case, you can purchase a complete series within the Apple TV app.

 

[DaveN]

Oh well. After all these years it will take getting used to but, as much as I liked doing my browsing and buying via iTunes, I can live with the change.

 

[justanthonylee]

I always purchased Movies & TV Shows via the iTunes App. For whatever reason, they were actually cheaper than buying the same show or movie via the TV App. Plus iTunes let you buy the complete series for a lower cost. The TV App makes you buy each season individually at full price.

See other posts, not the case you can purchase the entire series via the Apple TV app.

 

[Cobra Kai]

That is just NOT the case. You can purchase a complete series in one purchase in the Apple TV app.

This is the case. Look at the difference. Buying via iTunes allows you to buy the complete series at one lower price. You have to pay full price for each season individually via the TV app. This is why shows always cost more in the TV app versus buying the entire series via Itunes

 

[Bustycat]

Finally iTunes Music Store again?

 

[bertiespeirs]

Except it's not the case, you can purchase a complete series within the Apple TV app.

I'll edit my post if it is the case in my country - I really hope you're right. I'm updating right now. On all versions up to and including 17.1, you could not purchase the box set in the TV app. Insane that Apple prevented it for so many years.

 

[nigameash]

Except it's not the case, you can purchase a complete series within the Apple TV app.

I don't see that option on the Apple TV macOS app.

The iTunes Store lets me buy the full series though -

 

[justanthonylee]

This is the case. Look at the difference. Buying via iTunes allows you to buy the complete series at one lower price. You have to pay full price for each season individually via the TV app. This is why shows always cost more in the TV app versus buying the entire series via Itunes


View attachment 2323610



View attachment 2323611

That's not the case anymore. From macOS Apple TV app and iOS Apple TV App.

 

[justanthonylee]

I don't see that option on the Apple TV macOS app.

View attachment 2323619


The iTunes Store lets me buy the full series though -

View attachment 2323622

Let's me from the Apple TV App also.

 

[justanthonylee]

This may be the case that the update the removed the ability to purchase from iTunes added the box sets to the Apple TV App so if you are not on iOS 17.2 and macOS 14.2 you just might not see the option.

 

[racer1441]

Ugh. Stop trying to push me to Apple TV. I want to watch what I want without having to deal with the crappy Apple TV shows or even seeing anything about them.

 

[justanthonylee]

Ugh. Stop trying to push me to Apple TV. I want to watch what I want without having to deal with the crappy Apple TV shows or even seeing anything about them.

So use Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, Microsoft Movies and TV, YouTube Movies.