Disney+ Europe Loses Dolby Vision: Technical Glitch or Legal Battle?

Subscribers to Disney+ in several European nations are currently unable to access advanced HDR features such as Dolby Vision. Reports indicate this issue began impacting users in Germany and has since spread to Portugal, Poland, France, and the Netherlands. Disney has stated that technical challenges are preventing Dolby Vision support, and they are actively working to restore it. However, the company has removed references to Dolby Vision from its German support pages, now listing HDR10 as the default format.

Speculation suggests the problem may stem from a legal dispute rather than purely technological issues. InterDigital secured an injunction in a German court in November 2025, alleging patent violations by Disney concerning streaming video technology. This injunction specifically addresses methods for overlaying video streams, potentially impacting services like Dolby Vision. Similar patent litigation is also ongoing in the United States, prompting Disney to remove Dolby Vision mentions from its US support pages as well.

Disney has clarified that HDR10+ support was never offered in Europe, correcting a previous assertion. The streaming service assures that 4K UHD and standard HDR support remain available on compatible devices. The ongoing situation leaves many subscribers questioning the future of premium viewing features on the platform.