Google will no longer sell movies and TV shows from the Google Play app from May, the company announced (through Ars Technica† Instead, you can get movies and shows from the Google TV app.
“On Google TV, you’ll find the same experience you’ve come to expect on Google Play Movies & TV with the latest releases, rentals, deals and great recommendations for you”, according to a company support page† Content you’ve already purchased is available in the Google TV app, and you can use Play credits/gift cards to buy things there if you need to.
Ultimately, this doesn’t seem too dramatic a shift. However, this change and Google’s decision to close Google Play Music in favor of YouTube Music may both indicate that Google is reducing its reliance on the Play brand as a showcase for digital goods. Google Play is still your go to if you want to buy apps, games, and books, at least for now.
Apple also splits the sales of its content across different apps. Apps are in the App Store, music in iTunes, movies and TV shows in the Apple TV app, and books in Apple Books.