Apple’s restructuring of its film and TV series offerings in tvOS 17.2 and iOS 17.2 is causing uncertainty among many users. The elimination of the iTunes Store – along with the complete deletion of two apps on Apple TV devices – makes it appear as if the wish list function has also disappeared entirely, along with potentially years of user-curated content. However, at least on the iPhone there is still the option to view the data.
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Big change: moving towards streaming
With the two updates, Apple had once again accelerated the course towards streaming that it had been pursuing for years. The iTunes Store as a dedicated point of contact for television shows and movies that you could previously buy or rent there on iPhone and Apple TV has no longer had its day. Instead, users are sent to the TV app, Apple’s central collection point for moving image content, through which its own video service TV+ is also marketed. This meant that two applications were no longer available on the Apple TV: iTunes films and iTunes TV shows. The wish list function is completely missing from the TV app for tvOS, and viewing is no longer possible on the device.
Apple (still) has a return function on the iPhone: The iTunes Store app has been retained here, through which you can still purchase individual pieces of music. If you are in the music section, there is a list button at the top right. The wish list overview then appears immediately, containing songs as well as TV series and films. The problem: Apple apparently doesn’t provide for an export here; in the worst case, you have to do it manually using a screenshot. In addition, very few users are likely to expect their video wish list to be in the music area. It would fit more into the TV app, into which moving image sales have also moved.
Better secure it before it’s completely gone
It’s completely unclear whether Apple will bring Wish List back on tvOS. If you don’t have an iPhone, you initially lose out. Users with access should go through the list and note the most important films and series. Apple is unlikely to continue to maintain the iTunes app, which is currently just a skeleton anyway, in the long term.
There are users who maintain the wish list very intensively. In various forums and on Reddit, users reported that there were several hundred films on their list that they still wanted to see. A support document explaining how to use the iTunes app to locate the apparently missing data has not yet gone live. On the Mac, the wish lists are also available in the Music app: they are under “Account” and “Wishlist” to find – where you would otherwise only look for your music purchase needs.
(bsc)