Sony has indicated its intention to pull some PlayStation content even from those who have purchased it, raising concerns among customers.
In a brief notice on PlayStation’s website, Sony said it plans to remove hundreds of Discovery movies from users’ video libraries, preventing them from watching content they paid money for. Sony explained the decision was due to “content licensing arrangements with content providers.”
Here is the full statement:
Effective December 31, 2023, due to our content licensing arrangements with content providers, you will no longer be able to watch any of your previously purchased Discovery content and the content will be removed from your video library.
We sincerely thank you for your continued support.
Thank you,
PlayStation Store
Below is the long list of affected video content, which includes over 1,000 seasons of shows, including Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman, Tanked, MythBusters, and An Idiot Abroad.
The decision sparked online backlash and raised concerns about ownership of digital media. Video game preservation is a hot topic in the industry, but the issue of removing content from digital platforms is at the forefront of film and TV makers’ minds as well. Last month, Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro backed Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan in defending physical media amid controversial moves by streamers that have seen some films pulled from screening.
Redditor Skatern8r said they will never lose the Discovery shows they paid for. “I just received an email from PS about how at the end of the year due to licensing arrangements I will no longer be able to watch any of the Discovery content I purchased previously,” Skatern8r said. “Is there a way I can save this content? I’m using a PS4…but I’ve bought so many seasons of shows like Dual Survival that I don’t want to lose them. I’ve actually been under the impression ever since I’ve owned it that I wouldn’t want to.” Never lose it…”
There is currently no way to back up purchased PlayStation Store video content from a PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 console. They cannot be transferred to a disc by any means.
Here are some more reactions:
Tell us again how having internet helps you in such situations. #PlayStationDiscovery The content will disappear by the end of the year due to the end of licensing arrangements. pic.twitter.com/Da4vSzsRc9
-Is he playing? (@DoesItPlay1) December 1, 2023
@Sony, @Play Station/@Ask PlayStation, @DiscoveryI expect a full refund for all my purchases immediately.
You have purchased all these TV shows on your platform and you are all removing the content you purchased.@FTC @linakhanFTC @bbb_us#Play Station #PS5 #FTC #Discovery pic.twitter.com/AkcZDTRdNb
— PepsiManX360 🇺🇸 🇵🇷 🇪🇨 🦅🗽 (@PepsiManX360) December 2, 2023
Wild. If you “purchased” any of these titles through Playstation, they will soon be gone and that’s too bad for you.
Buying digital media is simply a rental with an open expiration date. They can and will take it from you if they feel like it. https://t.co/t40XxwElUM
-Drew McWhinney (@DrewMcWhinney) December 3, 2023
If I only played PlayStation I’d be really worried about the whole digital future, it’s bad and it’s crazy that no one is talking about it pic.twitter.com/gEOV8oQnnY
– Roadhammer Dark Tide (@roadhouse2100) December 1, 2023
Players started receiving this email from #Play Station To tell them that all content on #Discovery The streaming service will be removed on December 31, 2023, even those purchased directly by users.
Surely, it’s a shame that this changes our opinion about digital technology! pic.twitter.com/9MDiu1xaKq
– Thomas (@x_gamer_kid) December 3, 2023
PlayStation announced that individuals who purchased Discovery content through their platform will have their purchased content removed on December 31, 2023.
This is why internet piracy is still alive and well. pic.twitter.com/87bcqZwHWR
— VXUnderground (@vxunderground) December 2, 2023
Removal @Discovery Content that people have purchased, on @Play Station Store, it’s pathetic. If you pay for a product and it is removed where you can’t access it, they should refund your money. (Banning is another story) Shame on Discovery and PlayStation for this.
– John Price – AwashFern2 XBox Gamertag (@JPrice02) December 3, 2023
Oh wow. @Play Station It’s going to be in a class action lawsuit over the discovery stuff. Removal of purchased content after purchase constitutes theft. This type of action only confirms the authenticity of the hacking.
– Jared (@jaredwins) December 2, 2023
I love how people have finally realized, thanks to discovering things at PlayStation, that unless you actually own it or have a DRM-free downloaded copy, you don’t own anything today. You own a license to play this media which can be revoked at any time.
— Buster | Central Auditor 🔜 CFz (@BusterFurry) December 3, 2023
It seems like this thing you’ve probably always worried about has finally happened. People are losing access to movies and shows they purchased digitally through PlayStation. I think you’ve been renting this movie the whole time.#Play Station #Sony #Discovery #warnerbros pic.twitter.com/ZVkLJWjaxt
– Things That Don’t Look Like (@ThingsNSuch_LB) December 3, 2023
Last year, Warner Bros. She was criticized for her withdrawal Six original films from HBO Max From the prestigious streaming service it was created for. Warner Bros also made the shocking decision last year The Batgirl movie will not be released either in theaters or via streaming, even after filming on the DC movie starring Leslie Grace wrapped. Animated film scoop! The Holiday Haunt has also been cancelledwith Warner Bros. Take tax deductions on both.
However, the situation is different with Discovery content, as it concerns individual movies that users have purchased directly, rather than making them available as part of a subscription. This is also different from the typical case of deleted video games, which remain available to play and download for those who own them. In its statement, Sony did not offer a refund or apologize for the decision. IGN has asked Sony for comment.
Sony has a model when it comes to pulling content that PlayStation users already own. Last year, Sony removed purchased Studio Canal content from PlayStation users in Germany and Austria due to “evolving licensing agreements with content providers,” leaving users unable to view purchased content in their library.
It’s worth noting that when Sony stopped selling TV shows and movies from the PlayStation Store in 2021, it said users would still be able to access existing purchases.
“At SIE, we strive to provide the best entertainment experience for PlayStation fans, and that means evolving our offerings as customer needs change,” Vanessa Lee, head of SIE’s video business, said at the time.
“We have seen tremendous growth from PlayStation fans using subscription-based streaming entertainment services and advertising on our consoles. With this shift in customer behavior, we have decided to stop offering movie and TV purchases and rentals through PlayStation Store effective August 31, 2021.”
“When this change goes into effect, users will still be able to access movie and TV content they purchased through the PlayStation Store for on-demand playback on their PS4, PS5 and mobile devices. We thank our fans for their continued support, and look forward to enhancing the entertainment experience on PlayStation even further.”
Wesley is IGN’s UK news editor. You can find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can contact Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
Sony’s decision to remove Discovery Videos that PlayStation users already own has sparked a conversation about the uncertain future of digital ownership. The move has raised concerns about the control that companies have over the digital content that consumers purchase, and the potential limitations on their ability to access and retain what they have paid for. This development has highlighted the need for a deeper examination of the implications of digital ownership, and the potential impact on consumers as technology continues to evolve.