My apple movie library is reaching almost 900 titles. I accidentally purchased a duplicate title back in December without referencing my library list. Thankfully it was only a $4-$7 title but it messes with my OCD to have identical movies. I understand if studio licensing changes and the other copy becomes obsolete to “buy”. I have suggested apple add an Apple TV system enhancement to provide a notice if a suspected duplicate title is about to be purchased. I have seen this notification pop up if you attempt to purchase a movie bundle with a title you already own. This notice allows you to either continue with the purchase or not. I dont understand why they cannot add this simple enhancement feature if studio licensing changes on a title.
If you own a copy of Star Wars, which has an internal ID code of 1234567890, it’s rather simple for iTunes to recognize if you’re purchasing a bundle which also includes title 1234567890.
Now if Fox / Disney de-lists the version of Star Wars coded with 1234567890 and releases a new version with the ID 9876543210, there is nothing to connect the two. They are entirely separate entities.
Apple COULD create a way of connecting them. It doesn’t seem technologically impossible. But also not something that would be in high demand, thus not a high priority. It’s also something that would rely heavily on the studios to maintain since they’re the ones who make these decisions about removing one version of a film and releasing a new one.
However the atv app does somewhat resolve this very issue, now I’m not sure it’ll prompt you own relevant titles within a boxset upon purchase but separately the relisted title will show you own the title all be it still the previous listing.