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Fans of The Simpsons have criticised Disney + for changing the format of many of the show’s original episodes.
Disney+ launched on 12 November with 30 seasons of the animated show (which is currently in its 31st series) available to stream.
The Simpsons used a 4:3 aspect ratio throughout its first seasons before switching to a more rectangular 16:9 format.
On Disney+, episodes from the show’s first 20 seasons are currently streaming in a 16:9 format, meaning the image appears stretched.
Some fans have pointed out that some essential elements located towards the edges of the screen have been cropped out in some instances.
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For example, as pointed out by Twitter user Tristan Cooper, in the sixteenth episode of the Simpsons ‘ fourth season, “Duffless”, Bart Simpson tours a Duff brewery, where his beloved Duff beer is made.
While the brewery claims to sell three different versions of the beverage – original, lite and dry – but an extended shot in the 4:3 format reveals that all three brews are poured from the same tube.
In the 16:9 version available on Disney+, the tubes are partially cropped out, meaning it’s not clear that all three beverages are actually the same.
This isn’t the first time that The Simpsons ‘ aspect ratio has become a subject of controversy.
Back in 2014, the US cable channel FXX aired a Simpsons marathon that also switched earlier episodes from a 16:9 to a 4:3 ratio, also attracting criticism.
The Independent has contacted Disney+ for comment.
You can browse our list of every programme available on Disney+ here . The streaming platform will become available in the UK on 31 March, 2020 .
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