PlayStation will soon remove digital content from players libraries – even if they've paid for it
"Due to our content licensing arrangements, you will no longer be able to watch any of your purchased Discovery content."
PlayStation has begun emailing players to inform them that due to "content licensing arrangements", from 31st December, some Dicovery content will be removed from players' libraries – even if they've paid for it.
The statement, which says the change affects only Discovery content for now, doesn't explain why content is being removed, nor apologises for it. All it does is thank players for their "continued support".
"As of 31 December 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," the brief statement explains.
"We sincerely thank you for your continued support. Thank you."
The decision wipes hundreds of shows and movies from the store, and from some players' own libraries.
As you may well expect, the notification has not gone down well with the PlayStation community, with some suggesting that this is the reality of an "all-digital future". Digital content, even the content you pay for, is only ever licensed; that means the only way to preserve your favourite media is to buy it physically… and that's only if it's available physically in the first place, of course.
Although PlayStation didn't give a reason as to why the content was being withdrawn, some suggest it's because the network merged with Warner Bros. last year and as such, licensing arrangements need to be revised and renewed.
ICYMI, Sony has patented an updated DualSense controller design that will provide players with "predictive AI assistance features".
This means the controller will light up or even move certain buttons and sticks to provide hints on what players need to do if they find themselves stuck in a game.