Apple TV (Gen 3) "problem communicating with the iTunes Store"

Question

Apple TV (Gen 3) "problem communicating with the iTunes Store"

I have been running my Apple TV (Gen 3, Model A1469, Software ver 7.9 (8163)) successfully for many years now on my network. Yesterday, I could no longer get to any of my Movies or TV programs.

I have looked at a number of posts on line here and followed their suggestions. These include:

Running the Software update,
Restoring the Apple TV,
Setting the time zone and region format to my location,
and then the whole procedure outlined in Apple TV can't connect to iTunes Store - Apple Community (using a hotspot on my iPhone after restoring and manually setting up time zone and region format etc...)

It is not an account issue, as I have been able to access my purchases from the iTunes Store on my iPhone, iMac and MacBook Air. I have checked my iTunes Account and there is no problems apparent.

It is not a network issue, in so far as my Home Wi-Fi and Internet Connections are running perfectly well for all other purposes. The Apple TV is connected to the Wi-Fi, showing excellent signal strength.

My Apple TV shows me my purchases, and I can play various trailers for both things I own and things I don't. I can search the iTunes Store catalogue. However, I cannot play any of my purchaeses using my Apple TV!

So, any assistance would be appreciated. :-)

Apple TV 3, 8

Posted on Mar 31, 2025 10:11 PM

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Answer 1

Apr 1, 2025 1:25 AM in response to TheTardisThree

I too have the same issue on all my Apple TV’s, iPhone, iPad, Mac all work and even Apple TV on my Samsung. It’s only Apple TV devices that have got issues I think. I contacted Apple last night having a lengthy conversation but to no avail. It would seem that anything to do with playing purchased media cannot be accessed, is it a DRM issue??????

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Answer 2

Apr 9, 2025 2:58 AM in response to TheTardisThree

Good morning my friend, the questions were just the generic questions concerning connections and signing in and out of iTunes etc, I feel that the issue may be more manipulated by Apple as I heard that older generation Apple TV’s were deemed obsolete and thus stopped any ability to operate correctly, if this is the case then it’s disgraceful to stop an item from working because of income generation manipulation.

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Answer 3

Apr 8, 2025 9:39 PM in response to PhilBower

Hey Phil, I'm sorry that you are experiencing it too. Are your Apple TVs older models like mine? When you spoke with Apple, what was their line of enquiry, i.e. what were the types of questions they were asking?

Personally, I do not think that it is a DRM issue, otherwise why would our other devices (the non Apple TVs) still be functioning. I think it has something to do with the device itself. And it is still happening for me!

I left it for a bit of time, and waited until after the Australian switch from Daylight Savings time to Standard time in case the might do the trick, but nothing has changed.

Additionally, now I cannot Airplay to the Apple TV from a working device. When I wrote this original post I could, but a few days latter it also went belly up!

Feelling very dissatisfied with my Apple product at this time!

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Answer 4

Apr 8, 2025 11:14 PM in response to TheTardisThree

I decided to ask Apple Support for some assistance, firstly via Chat, and when they needed to escalate it, a phone call. Both the staff were very helpful and understanding. Having taken a few photos and a video of Apple TVs behaviour they are now doing some investigation. I am expecting a call from them in a few days time. Hopefully they may have an answer for me, and maybe others who are having similar problems. Anyway, my dissatisfaction has been abated somewhat with A... and J...'s attempts to assist.

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Apple TV (Gen 3) "problem communicating with the iTunes Store"