In addition to removing the iTunes Movies and TV Shows app from Apple TV, tvOS 26.4 also includes a new setting for “Continuous Audio Connections.”
Apple describes when this setting is enabled: “Apple TV uses a Dolby MAT connection for glitch-free playback across a variety of formats. Older receivers may show an Atmos connection, but the original mix remains unchanged.”
Apple also appears to have added this new setting in response to complaints from Apple TV users who use Sonos speakers in conjunction with AV receivers. Some users have noted that they hear popping noises and uncomfortably low volume levels on certain channels, especially 5.1 channel content.
According to a report on the Sonos subreddit, enabling the new “Continuous Audio Connection” setting resolves these issues.
One user said, “We can confirm that this feature resolves an issue where 5.1 multichannel PCM content was much quieter than Atmos content.” “My 5.1 content now sounds just as great as Atmos,” adds another user.
“Previous solutions were to disable eARC and recode the TV to Dolby Digital Plus or force Dolby Digital on Apple TV. But this is no longer necessary!” one user wrote.
However, in another thread, some Sonos users say this new setting causes problems when playing stereo content.
In summary, this new “Continuous Audio Connect” setting may fix some of the Sonos/Apple TV/receiver bugs, but may also introduce new bugs. tvOS 26.4 is currently available to developers and public beta users, so Apple is likely to further refine this configuration throughout the beta testing process.
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