Samsung is calling a do-over on another chunk of its media business with the closure of Video Hub and Media Hub.
The two video services, which were meant to rival iTunes video, Amazon and Google Play, will shut down on August 1. Users will be able to transfer any videos they’ve purchased to M-Go, a third-party service, at no charge. They’ll also get a $5 credit to use within 90 days, and using that credit will unlock a 50-percent-off coupon for two more movie rentals.
This isn’t the first “Hub” that Samsung has discontinued as it tries to take a mulligan on media services. On July 1, Samsung shut down Music Hub, which had offered subscription-based streaming and individual songs for purchase. The company also dismantled its Samsung Books service on the same date.
Still, Samsung isn’t getting out of media services entirely, even as it shuts down its past efforts. In March, the company launched Milk Music, an Internet radio service similar to Pandora but exclusively for Samsung products. It’s currently ad-free, but Samsung has hinted at introducing ads and charging a subscription to remove them.
As for video, Samsung says it has “some exciting new video products” in the works, but didn’t reveal any details. According to Recode, Samsung is again collaborating with M-Go on a streaming service for movies and TV shows in 4K resolution. The service will reportedly launch later this year.
Whereas Media Hub failed to stand out, a 4K streaming service at least has a chance against rivals like Netflix and Amazon Prime. But those companies have been dabbling in 4K video as well, so Samsung’s next move may not have a competitive advantage for long.