Key Takeaways
- Streaming services can remove certain content on their platforms for different reasons.
- If your favorite movie or TV show is removed from your current streaming service, you can check for it on alternative platforms.
- Additionally, other ways exist to watch your favorite content when it’s removed.
Due to complicated licensing rights, streaming services regularly remove certain TV shows and movies from their services. However, whenever one of my favorite shows or films is removed, I still find ways to watch it using one of these four methods.
Find and Stream on Alternative Streaming Services
The first thing I do is check whether the show or movie is still available on a different platform. Currently, it’s common for streaming services to pull their original titles from competing platforms and make them exclusive to their own streaming services. For instance, Disney pulled all its licensed content to third-party platforms like Netflix, but you can still watch it on Disney+ and Hulu.
So, whenever a title is removed from your current streaming service, please check whether it’s available on another. Various streaming services still offer free trials, so you can use that opportunity to search and watch your favorite titles without fully committing.
Another alternative method I use to watch my favorite shows is to buy DVDs or Blu-rays. While the technology might sound old-fashioned to some, physical media is still a solid way to watch content. One reason physical media is better than streaming is that you own your content.
Besides, this might be the only sure way to watch content whenever it’s no longer offered on any streaming service or older content unavailable on streaming platforms. You can buy physical media of your favorite shows and movies online, on mainstream platforms like Amazon and eBay, or physically at Walmart, Target, and similar places. Some specialty stores and platforms also exist that exclusively sell physical media, like Blu-ray.com, Criterion, and Arrow Video.
3. Purchase or Rent Digitally
Suppose I can’t find a title on any streaming platform or physical media. In that case, I look for renting or purchasing options. Sometimes, when movies and TV shows are pulled from streaming, they can still be available for individual purchase or rental. Plus, buying or renting digitally can be a convenient alternative if you don’t have the appropriate devices to watch physical media (like a DVD or Blu-ray player).
Platforms like Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play allow you to buy movies and shows you can watch across all your devices. If you prefer to rent, check out our list of the best places to rent movies online. Most listed platforms offer both options, so you can choose which fits you best. The only limitation is that buying or renting can be a bit expensive relative to streaming. But there are ways to score cheap movie rentals and discounts.
4. Check for Reruns on Cable TV
As a last resort, I watch out for reruns on cable TV when the previous methods are not viable. This might not be the best option, but it works for some old movies and TV shows.
Many networks, especially those specializing in older shows or classic movies, regularly air reruns of popular content. While it may not be as flexible as streaming, cable reruns are still an excellent option for finding content that has disappeared from digital platforms.
There are various reasons why streaming services remove movies and TV shows from their platforms. While I prefer streaming, as it gives me access to a wide range of content at a small monthly fee, I’m always ready to go the extra mile to watch my favorite content, even if it is pulled from my current streaming service. So, if that happens to you as well, these four ways should ensure you can still watch your favorite movies and TV shows.
