Disney+ has removed Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and 3‑D support from its French catalog, leaving Premium subscribers without the high‑dynamic‑range picture modes they paid for. The change is presented as a technical issue, but it stems from ongoing patent licensing disputes that force the service to revert to standard HDR10. If you rely on those formats for the best visual experience, the downgrade will be noticeable on compatible TVs.
What Formats Were Removed?
Dolby Vision and HDR10+ are the two leading HDR standards that deliver deeper blacks, brighter highlights and a wider colour gamut. The 3‑D option, while niche, allowed certain titles to be viewed with stereoscopic glasses. All three have been stripped from Disney+ in France, meaning the platform now only offers the baseline HDR10 profile.
Why Did Disney+ Disable These Features?
The decision is tied to a complex web of patents held by Dolby Laboratories and the HDR10+ Alliance. Both technologies require royalty payments and strict licensing terms. With European regulators tightening scrutiny over patent licensing, Disney+ chose to suspend the codecs rather than risk infringement claims while negotiations continue.
Impact on Premium Subscribers
Premium users paid extra for the “best‑in‑class” picture quality. Without Dolby Vision or HDR10+, the only visual advantage left is a larger content library and earlier access to new releases. On a Dolby‑Vision‑capable TV, the picture will now look like a regular HDR10 stream—still good, but missing the peak brightness and colour depth you expected.
What Viewers Can Expect Now
All Disney+ titles remain available in standard HDR10, which works on virtually every modern TV. You’ll still see a solid image, but the extra punch of Dolby Vision or HDR10+ won’t be there. If you’ve invested in a high‑end display, the downgrade feels like watching a concert with the sound system turned down.
Future Outlook
The service hasn’t announced a timeline for restoring the premium formats. Until the patent negotiations settle, Disney+ is likely to keep using the baseline HDR10 profile. Keep an eye on official Disney+ communications for updates—if the licensing fees become manageable, the higher‑quality HDR modes could return. In the meantime, you might consider alternative streaming services that still support your preferred HDR format.
