Plex laid off the whole player team

Core media playback functionality on your devices is now broken for certain file types.

Plex has reportedly laid off its entire player development team, a move that has coincided with significant playback issues for users on iOS and tvOS devices. The problems, specifically affecting 4K DoVi/HDR10 content playback with an infinite spinning circle, have been reported on Plex forums since at least October 21, 2026. Users are expressing frustration, with some noting that HDR10 content plays fine while Dolby Vision files do not, even when the same files work on other devices like TCL TVs using the Plex app. Community members are questioning the company's direction, citing a decline in core app functionality and suggesting a potential shift away from supporting their existing user base. Some users are already migrating to alternative platforms like Jellyfin and using third-party players such as Rivulet.

The reported layoffs of the player development team at Plex suggest a significant internal restructuring or a strategic pivot, potentially impacting the future development and support of their client applications. This move, coupled with persistent playback bugs, raises questions about Plex's commitment to its core user experience and its long-term product strategy. The company may be reallocating resources, possibly towards other revenue streams or different product areas, which could leave existing users with unresolved issues and a diminished sense of product stability.

This situation could signal a broader trend in the media streaming space where companies face pressure to monetize aggressively, sometimes at the expense of foundational product quality and user satisfaction. Users who rely on Plex for seamless media playback may need to explore alternative solutions or prepare for potentially extended periods without fixes, as development priorities shift. The community's response, including discussions about forking or contributing to open-source alternatives like Jellyfin, highlights a potential fragmentation or a push for more community-driven development if official support wanes.