Google Play purchases can’t sync with Movies Anywhere anymore, here’s why
Movies Anywhere has quietly announced that it will no longer sync purchases on Google Play and YouTube on October 31. This is an unexpected consequence of the ongoing feud between Google and Disney, the latter owner of the Movies Anywhere service.
For those who don’t know, YouTube TV’s license to distribute Disney content expired at the end of October. The companies failed to negotiate a new deal, so Disney-owned channels like ABC, ESPN, and FX were unceremoniously removed from YouTube TV. In typical fashion, both sides are attempting to use public outrage as a bargaining chip: Google claims Disney is trying to “force deal terms that would raise prices for our customers” and accuses the network of uncompetitive practices (a YouTube TV price hike would make Disney-owned Hulu + Live TV more attractive), while Disney claims “Google is using its market dominance to eliminate competition and undermine industry standard terms.” Interestingly, Disney also suggested that Google violated the public interest by not signing a deal before coverage of Election Day on November 4.
Of course, Disney really has the upper hand here, as the loss of 20 channels (including ESPN) could drive subscribers away from YouTube TV. It appears Disney is also trying to discourage customers from purchasing movies on Google Play and YouTube, as it has removed the ability to sync new purchases on those platforms with Movies Anywhere.
Fortunately, purchases you’ve previously synced with Movies Anywhere aren’t affected. And you can still access your Movies Anywhere library from Google Play.
This problem will probably disappear soon. Google regularly gets into mudslinging disputes with networks like NBC or FOX, and things always work out in the end (albeit with a temporary channel blackout in some cases). Hell, this isn’t the first time Google and Disney haven’t been able to negotiate a deal.
However, I suggest Movies Anywhere users not to purchase content from YouTube or Google Play at this time. You know, just in case. Although Google and Disney are expected to reach an agreement at some point, it’s not a guarantee.
Source: Movies Anywhere via 9to5Google
