Disney+ has temporarily removed all support for HDR technologies—including HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision—from its platform, resulting in a significant decline in image quality for selected movies and series. The change primarily affects the Premium plan, which continues to cost 15.99 euros per month but no longer includes HDR capabilities. Users have reported noticeable degradation in visual fidelity, including increased compression and reduced contrast, indicating that the service now streams content in a lower-quality standard definition format. This shift has sparked concerns over the long-term value of the subscription and is being cited as a case of shrinkflation, where consumers pay the same price for diminished service quality.
To date, Disney has not issued an official statement explaining the removal of HDR support. However, speculation suggests the move may be linked to a recent ruling by the Munich Regional Court. Experts theorize that legal issues surrounding the licensing or technical use of HDR technologies could be driving the decision. While Disney has not confirmed any connection, the timing of the change—coinciding with the court's decision—has led to increased scrutiny. The lack of transparency from the company has further fueled public skepticism and eroded trust in the platform’s commitment to high-quality streaming.
The implications of this change extend beyond mere image quality, affecting users of high-end home theater systems and modern HDR-compatible televisions who rely on advanced visual features. The degradation in streaming quality could prompt customers to cancel their subscriptions or switch to competitors such as Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, which continue to offer HDR content. Moreover, the incident raises broader questions about Disney’s strategic direction: Is this a temporary response to legal challenges, or a sign of a broader shift toward cost-cutting measures that could impact the long-term appeal of the service? Until Disney provides clarity, the situation remains uncertain for subscribers and industry observers alike.