Built In Netflix app on Bravia 8ii isn't passing through anything but LPCM to HTA-7000

Suddenly losing Dolby Atmos support on Netflix app via eARC (HT-A7000) with current firmware on both.

I have been a long-time Bravia user and have never encountered this issue before. My HT-A7000 soundbar is connected via eARC, and everything has worked perfectly for years. Recently, the Netflix app on my Bravia TV stopped passing through Dolby Atmos, defaulting to LPCM instead for content that supports Atmos (e.g., Peaky Blinders, Devil May Cry).

Here is the current setup and troubleshooting steps I have taken:

- Other built-in apps like Sony Pictures Core and Amazon Prime Video work correctly with Atmos.

- My PS5 Pro (Port 4), confirming eARC is functional. Xbox Series X (connected directly to the soundbar) handles Atmos and DTS:X without any issues

- I have verified my TV settings are set to "Passthrough"; I also tested the "Auto" setting with no success.

- I have performed both a soft reboot and a hard power cycle, but the Atmos issue remains.

- Dolby Vision continues to work as intended.

Has anyone else experienced a sudden loss of Atmos pass-through specifically within the Netflix app? Any suggestions on how to restore this functionality would be greatly appreciated.

I wrote an entire novel about the things I've done to fix the issue and it was a mess, so i had the new Siri clean it up for me (Local A.I.) so no harm done using gpt or gemini....just wanted to put that out there.