The image quality of Disney+ Premium has deteriorated in Brazil. Subscribers to the most expensive plan have lost the ability to view content in 4K and HDR. Despite this reduction, the cost remains unchanged at R$ 69.90, with the maximum resolution limited to 1080p. Initially, this resolution is the same offered in the less costly plans, although an update on the Disney+ portal suggests a possible additional decline.
This change in the streaming service occurred without any prior notification to customers. One of the main advantages of the Premium plan was the permission to watch live broadcasts of channels, such as football matches broadcast by ESPN.
According to information gathered by Canaltech, the modification is reportedly related to a legal dispute between Disney and InterDigital, the holder of the patents that enable transmission technologies. Tecnoblog attempted to contact the company but received no response by the end of the report.
Disney+ offers three options in Brazil: Standard with ads, Standard without ads, and Premium. Previously, the most expensive option ensured better visual quality, in addition to access to live ESPN sports and other channels. Download and simultaneous device number functionalities remain available.
The price disparity is notable; there is a difference of R$ 20 between the intermediate and Premium plans. The Disney+ website in Brazil states that the Standard plans no longer guarantee 1080p resolution, but it does not clarify whether this necessarily implies a drop in image quality.
A lawsuit filed by InterDigital, a company based in the United States responsible for the licenses for the use of transmission technologies, is pointed to as the probable cause of the service change. The decision unfavorable to Disney was issued in September 2025, in the 7th Business Court of Rio de Janeiro.
At that time, the central allegation involved the improper use of AVC and HEVC standards, which are technologies used to compress videos. This case has already been judged in the second instance, and the decision was upheld.
Additionally, in July, Disney removed 4K and HDR from its content in Europe, following similar judicial decisions, restricting the service to 1080p resolution in certain countries. According to what Hi-Fi reported, the company had stated it had reinstated this functionality in August, but some devices were not included in this update.