The latest tvOS beta from Apple indicates the impending removal of the iTunes Movies and TV Shows apps on Apple TV. According to 9to5Mac, the streaming purchase and rental features that were once housed in these apps are absent from the tvOS 17.2 release candidate (RC), currently accessible to developers. Typically, the RC firmware mirrors the public version unless unexpected bugs are discovered. The integration of iTunes apps into the TV app was initially disclosed in October.
Although the home screen icons for iTunes Movies and iTunes TV Shows still exist in the tvOS 17.2 firmware, they now direct users to the TV app, where the previous functionalities will be retained. 9to5Mac shared an image of a redirect screen, displaying the message, “iTunes Movies and Your Purchases Have Moved. You can buy or rent movies and find your purchases in the Apple TV App.” Below this message, users are presented with options to “Go to the Store” or “Go to Your Purchases.”
The modification does not eliminate any fundamental features, as the TV app replicates the purchasing, renting, and management capabilities of the iTunes Movies and TV Shows apps. This shift appears to be focused on streamlining operations by discarding the last traces of the aging iTunes brand, possibly encouraging more users to subscribe to Apple TV+.
Additionally, the update introduces several enhancements to the TV app on Apple’s set-top box. These enhancements include the ability to filter by genre in the purchased section, the inclusion of box sets in store listings, and a redesigned sidebar for more user-friendly navigation.
As Apple increasingly emphasizes its services division for growth, the company has made substantial investments in video content. Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon premiered in theaters in October, gaining critical acclaim and generating awards-season anticipation. (It notably secured a Best Picture Oscar in 2022, marking a milestone for streaming platforms.) Currently available for rent or purchase in the TV app, Scorsese’s film is slated to join Apple TV+ at a later date. Noteworthy original series from Apple include Ted Lasso, Severance, The Morning Show, Foundation, and Silo, among others.
