Google Play: Your one-stop destination for purchasing movies and TV shows

In a world where streaming is the new norm, is buying content still worth the investment? The short answer: it depends. If you're a bona fide binge-watching enthusiast, a subscription to a streaming service will probably be more up your alley. That way, you pay a monthly sum to access a seemingly endless library of shows and movies. In other words, you'll always have something to watch.

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.

What is Google Play?

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.

How much do titles from Google Play Movies & TV cost?

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.

How do I sign up to Google Play Movies & TV?

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.

What content is on Google Play Movies & TV?

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.

Google Play Movies & TV devices

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:

• PC/Mac
• Android/iOS phones and tablets
• Smart TVs: selected models of LG and Samsung, Android TV
• Streaming devices: Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast

How to watch Google Play movies on 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.

Google Play Movies & TV FAQs

• Can I download movies from Google Play Movies & TV?

  Yes. Once you purchase a movie, you can download it for offline access. Users can download a video that they bought on up to five devices. If you rented a video, you'll only be able to download it onto one device at a time.

• What's the video quality like?

  It varies. Titles are available in quality ranging from SD to 4K. As you might imagine, you'll pay more if you want to rent or purchase a title available in 4K.

• How much time do I have to watch a movie I rented?

  If you go the rental route, most movies expire 48 hours after you first start watching them. You can watch them as many times as you want in that time period.

• What is Family Library?

  Users can share purchased apps, games, movies, TV shows, ebooks and audiobooks from Google Play with up to five family members using Google Play Family Library.

  Eligible purchases can be automatically added to the Family Library or you can add them yourself. Either way, you will need to sign up for Family Library by accessing the main menu in the Google Play app.

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