UltraViolet is shutting down: Here’s how to save your media

The UltraViolet movie locker service was one of the film industry's first attempts to curb piracy and embrace the proliferation of digital media. However, the company just announced the service will end on July 31, 2019.

Until that date, UltraViolet services will continue to operate as normal; you'll still be able to stream the content in your locker without issue. After July 31, though, your account will automatically close so you'll no longer be able to access your content through the UltraViolet service.

Instead, you will need to access your content from the retailer sites from which you originally purchased that content or services which support those media titles. For example, this could be Fandango Now, Vudu, or Verizon Fios. Click here for the full list of retailers.

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However, UltraViolet does not currently have a fallback plan for users with untransferable content purchased through now-defunct retailers or from media added to the service through the previous purchase of physical Blu-Ray discs or DVDs. It is quite possible those users will lose access to some or all of that content permanently.

If you live in the United States, you can transfer much of your library to UltraViolet's main competitor: the Disney-owned Movies Anywhere. However, it's possible not all of your titles will transfer and those of you who live outside the United States cannot access Disney's service — so this is not a fool-proof plan.

If you have media in an UltraViolet locker, you will need to find a new home for that content before July 31, 2019.

Also, Movies Anywhere doesn't support television episodes, so any TV shows in your UltraViolet library will have to be connected to a different service. If you cannot do this, you could lose access to that content.

If you have an UltraViolet library, it would be a good idea to get started on connecting your locker to other retailers as soon as possible. That way, if there does end up being any content you could lose, you will have plenty of time to figure out the best way forward.

Click here to begin the process of connecting your UltraViolet media to other retailers.

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