Disney+ Parts Ways with the Roku 4 Streaming Player
Time flies. It’s hard to believe that 4K content began making its way into home entertainment almost a decade ago. Roku introduced its first 4K streamer, the Roku 4 (model number 4400X) back in 2015. However, it is now 2023 and Roku has decided to start decommissioning the Roku 4.
Roku has begun informing Roku 4 users that OS and “feature” updates will be discontinued in March 2023 with this post:
Dear Roku Streamer,
Thanks for being such a loyal Roku user! You’ve been streaming with us for a long time and we’re glad you’re enjoying your Roku player even after all these years. While your current player will continue to stream and receive important updates, it does not have the latest features and will soon stop receiving feature updates.
You can continue to use your Roku player to stream the channels you currently have. However, this device will no longer receive new features or streaming channels, updates to existing channels, or other software-related updates. Over time, you may lose access to some channels as these channel partners release updates.
Disney+ and Roku 4
As a result of the Roku move, if you own a Roku 4 and are a Disney+ subscriber, enjoy all of these Star Wars and Marvel movies and shows through May 30, 2023 as Disney+ is also ending support for the retiring device.
When you open the Disney+ app and use Roku 4, you should see the following message displayed:
Disney+ will no longer be available for this Roku model after May 30, 2023. To continue using the Disney+ app along with all of its latest features and functionality, please update your device to a newer model.
Also read: TCL Sets Sights on Dominating U.S. TV Market with 2023 Premium LED/LCD TVs
What this means for Roku 4 users
This means that in the future, A growing number of streaming channels and apps may stop working on Roku 4 as providers stop releasing updates to work with the old Roku OS. Disney+ appears to be the first major provider to take this approach.
The last OS update that Roku 4 received was version 11.5, which was made available in September 2022. Roku did not include OS version 12 update for Roku 4. Going forward, Roku 4 will only receive critical background updates, but no other features. updates.
For Roku 4 users, the streamer will work as long as the content providers support it. However, over time, some of your favorite apps may stop working.
Tip: If you have a newly released Roku Ultra, you have nothing to worry about, it will continue to receive updates and is compatible with the newly released Roku 12 OS. Also, as of 2023, Roku has not replaced Roku Ultra in its product line.
Roku 4K Streamer Comparison Chart
Whether you’re looking for a 4K video streamer as a replacement for Roku 4 or buying your first Roku plug-in, you have several convenient and affordable options:
| Model | Ultra (4802R) | 4K+ Streaming Stick (3821R2) | 4K Streaming Stick (3820R2) | Roku Express 4K+ (3941R2) | Roku Express 4K (3940RW) |
| MSRP | $99.99 | $69.99 | $49.99 | $29.99 | $34.99 |
| TV Resolution Compatibility | 720p, 1080p, 4K UHD | 720p, 1080p, 4K UHD | 720p, 1080p, 4K UHD | 720p, 1080p, 4K UHD | 720p, 1080p, 4K UHD |
| Scaling and zoom out | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HDR | Dolby Vision, HDR10/10+, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10/10+, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10/10+, HLG | HDR10/10+ and HLG | HDR10/10+ and HLG |
| WiFi | 802.11ac Dual Band MIMO Wi-Fi®️ (2.4GHz / 5GHz)/ | Dual Band Wi-Fi® MIMO 802.11ac (2.4GHz / 5GHz) | Dual Band Wi-Fi® MIMO 802.11ac (2.4GHz / 5GHz) | Dual Band Wi-Fi® 802.11ac (2.4GHz / 5GHz) | Dual Band Wi-Fi® 802.11ac (2.4GHz / 5GHz) |
| ethernet | Yes | No | No | Yes – via optional adapter | Yes – via optional adapter |
| HDMI | See 2.0b | See 2.0a | See 2.0b | Version not specified | Version not specified |
| USB | 3.0 (media playback) | Mini USB (power adapter or long range Wi-Fi only) | Mini USB (power adapter or long range Wi-Fi only) | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Audio features | Digital Stereo, Dolby Digital Surround, Atmos, DTS Digital Surround | Digital Stereo, Dolby Audio, DTS Digital Surround | Digital Stereo, Dolby Audio, DTS Digital Surround | Digital Stereo, Dolby Audio, DTS Digital Surround | Digital Stereo, Dolby Audio, DTS Digital Surround |
| Remote control | Voice remote | Voice Remote Pro | Voice remote | Voice remote | IR remote |
| Works with the Roku mobile app | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Compatible with Apple | Broadcast and Homekit | Broadcast and Homekit | Broadcast and Homekit | Broadcast and Homekit | Broadcast and Homekit |
| Works with Google Home | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Works with Alexa | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Tip: For a more detailed spec comparison, please visit the Roku product comparison page.
