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However, there are downsides to subscribing to a streaming platform. You don't own the content you watch, which is often subjected to licensing fees, so it can suddenly disappear from the platform. Plus, if you don't watch TV shows or movies on a regular basis, you may not be getting your money's worth. On the same note, newer releases don't land on streaming services quickly. Meaning, if you want to watch a recent blockbuster fresh out of cinemas, the only way to do so is to buy it or rent it.
Enter Google Play or more precisely, Google Play Movies & TV. Google's answer to iTunes and Prime Video Store is a sleek and accessible shop filled with entertainment goodies, from newly released movies to full seasons of TV shows. You can rent or purchase titles in high video quality, access them on your favourite device and watch them whenever you want.
Google Play is a one-stop destination for downloading everything from apps to books to music. However, Google Play Movies & TV is dedicated solely to TV series and movies. It's a digital storefront for films and TV shows, with users able to rent a movie or purchase a movie/TV show and add it to their library.
Unlike services like Netflix or BINGE, you don't get a subscription – you purchase individual pieces of content, which are charged at an individual, one-off fee.
Prices vary based on a range of factors, including release date and video quality. For instance, a new flashy release can cost as much as $20 to rent in HD, while others will be available to purchase for the same price.
Generally speaking, a TV episode will set you back around $3, while a movie costs on average $6 to rent and $13–$20 to buy.
The service is also regularly running special promotions and offering bundles. In other words, you can save serious cash if you keep an eye out for deals. You can also score older movies for as low as $5 or less.
All you need to start building your entertainment library is a Google account, which you probably already have. If you don't, you can sign up in a matter of minutes and it's completely free.
Then, head to the Google Play website or download the Google Play Movies & TV app to your device. Then you're good to go.
Google Play offers a wide library of TV shows and movies. It includes both recent releases and classics, so there's tons of choice available.
You can navigate the offer by genre, check out the top charts to see what others are watching or browse the New Releases section for fresh titles that might catch your eye.
A fun feature is pre-orders. Google Play Movies & TV lets you pre-order content you're excited about, so that you'll have access to it as soon as it becomes available on the platform.
Okay, so you purchased a TV episode or movie from Google Play. How can you watch it? While the app is geared towards Android users, it is available on iOS as well. Here's a full list of devices compatible with Google Play Movies & TV:
There are several ways to watch movies and TV shows from Google Play on your TV screen.
On newer smart TVs, you may see the Play Movies app already available on your home screen. If that's not the case, you can use Apple TV, Roku, Android TV and Chromecast.
Or, go the old-fashioned route and simply connect your laptop to your TV via an HDMI cable.
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