Apple TV just lost the ability to play content via home share.

Was having the same problem with the spinning gear. Ended up my nephew switched the viewing option of the movie we wanted to watch on my computer to Apple tv and we were able to watch. Still cannot start a movie from the tv but can control it once it starts. Haven't figured out how to access my Netflix account yet though.

Confirming that if you're playing video from home sharing, you need to let it spin for a few minutes but it will start.

I'm unsure about how long a few minutes is, but I let it go for 15 and still nothing. I'm hoping for an improved update soon.

Here, the wheel spins for 4 minutes and 15 seconds, before a home share movie or TV show start playing. This issue appeared with 4.4.2.

Im beginning to doubt this is a prob with the update. I restored my atv to 4.4 and still getting the "spinning" issue. No change at all. Makes me wonder how this is going to be possible to trouble shoot.

I'm seeing the same spinning "loading" icon, when I try to play purchased TV shows from my iMac via Home Sharing. I don't think that it's anything to do with the update though, as it happens when I go in via the iTunes Store as well. It seems to be an authentication problem, as Home Sharing definitely makes use of the iTunes account name and password. Hopefully they'll correct it soon, as I'll need my "Leverage" fix 😎

Looks to me like an authentication bug between the Apple TV box and the iTunes Store.

I too have the same issues as mentioned here. I have tried many methods in different order to try and solve the issue - The Spinning Wheel of Death as I wait for a movie to play. I have 3 of them, 1 wireless, 2 wired & all with the same issue.

Some where was mentioned disconnecting from the internet - fail.

Also mentioned was restoral of TV - fail. This took a very long time.

Restarted everything many, many times - fail.

Sign in - sign out - sign in - fail.

The only partial solution for me thus far is to wait 10 - 15 minutes (watching SWoD) and then a movie will play. Several hours ago I noticed to access Podcasts @ the TV was very taxing on patience. Wait time again was 5 to 10 minutes from initial selection until the pane of favourites etc would appear.

If it gets much worse they might make lovely stepping stones to the garden, rubber side up for safety. Would it not be nice to have a utility that would display the progress of authentication all the way through to playing the content to high-lite the problem?

Same issue here. Tried all the suggested fixes to no avail. I hope Apple gets this one resolved in a timely fashion. Lately my interactions with customer support have been disappointing.

Sign out of iTunes on your apple tv. Saw this on the macrumors forums. Now it works.

I am guessing some issue with iTunes match testing. I am hoping they broke something simple and it will be fix soon, please.

Ya looks like its been narrowed down to a home sharing with atv issue. I am also not able to AirPlay when my iPad is connected to my iTunes library. I am however able to AirPlay videos saved on the iPad.

Biggest thing I find frustrating is that Apple NEVER posts any status updates unless the whole thing is burnt to the ground.

At least post in here that something is broken and you're working on it. That would be a nice gesture for your paying customers, Apple.

signing out of itunes worked for me as well.

Nope. Same for me. Signed out of iTunes account, turned off Home Sharing. No dice.

Signing out of itunes store in apple tv fixed it for me