Tidal Drops Sony 360 Reality Audio to Expand Dolby Atmos Catalog in 2026

1 articles · Updated · ZDNet · May 21

Tidal has ended support for Sony's 360 Reality Audio, shifting resources toward adding more tracks in Dolby Atmos.
The move underscores Atmos's lead in music streaming after Apple pushed the format mainstream in 2021 by enabling spatial audio across millions of AirPods, iPhones, iPads and Macs.
Sony launched 360 Reality Audio at CES 2019 with backing from labels and early streaming partners including Tidal and Amazon Music, but its ear-mapping setup and limited device reach slowed adoption.
By 2026, Sony still keeps the format alive in some soundbars and receivers, yet its headphone strategy has tilted toward proprietary stereo upmixing instead of broad consumer promotion of 360 Reality Audio.

With the format war now over, what is the ultimate fate of Sony's once-hyped 360 Reality Audio technology?

Apple used Dolby to win the spatial audio war. Is its own new format about to make Dolby obsolete?

As spatial audio becomes standard, how are independent artists navigating a market controlled by Apple and Dolby?