PlayStation to wipe 551 films from customers' accounts
PlayStation has announced it will remove 551 films from customers' accounts, specifically Discovery TV show content that was previously available as part of a licensing agreement. Users will lose access to the titles on August 31, 2023, even if they had previously purchased them, raising concerns about digital ownership rights.
Background
- Sony recently announced it will remove 551 movies and TV shows from the PlayStation Store, even if users had already purchased them. These purchases will vanish from customers' libraries on December 31, 2025.
- The affected content comes from Discovery (Warner Bros. Discovery), including shows like MythBusters, Deadliest Catch, and Cake Boss. The removal is due to Sony losing content-licensing rights from the studio.
- This highlights a fundamental issue with "purchasing" digital media: you don't actually own the files — you buy a revocable license. When the license deal between Sony and Warner Bros. Discovery expires, the content disappears, with no refund offered.
- The move has sparked backlash and renewed calls for consumer protection laws around digital ownership, as it demonstrates the fragility of digital libraries compared to physical media like Blu-rays or DVDs.