Disney+ Rolls Out HDR10+ Support for Select Content

Disney+ Begins Rolling Out HDR10+ Support on Select Devices

Disney+ has officially started the long-awaited rollout of HDR10+ support, fulfilling a commitment made earlier this year. This advanced High Dynamic Range (HDR) format, which uses dynamic metadata to optimize picture quality scene-by-scene, is now live for a selection of content on the streaming platform across the globe.  

This addition puts Disney+ on par with other major streaming services like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+, and provides a premium viewing option for devices that do not support the rival Dolby Vision format.  

Initial Content and Device Exclusivity

The rollout is currently limited to specific content and a select brand of devices, primarily due to the HDR10+ format’s core development partners.  

• Initial Content: Disney+ is beginning its HDR10+ support with over 1,000 titles from the Hulu content library, which is part of the Disney+ Premium bundle in some regions. The company has confirmed that HDR10+ support will expand to Disney+ and more Hulu content in the near future.  
• Device Availability: At launch, the HDR10+ content is exclusive to Samsung TVs and select Samsung Smart Monitors. Supported models include Samsung Crystal UHD TVs and higher-end sets (QLED, Neo QLED, OLED, and The Frame ranges) from the 2018 models onward.  
• The Reason: This initial exclusivity is strategic, as Samsung is a co-developer of the royalty-free HDR10+ standard and historically does not support Dolby Vision on its televisions. The addition of HDR10+ ensures Samsung TV owners can access a premium, dynamic HDR format on the platform.  

What is HDR10+?

HDR10+ is an open-source, next-generation HDR technology designed to provide a more immersive viewing experience than the standard HDR10 format.  

• Dynamic Metadata: Unlike basic HDR10, which uses static metadata for the entire movie, HDR10+ uses dynamic metadata. This allows the image quality—specifically brightness and contrast—to be optimized and adjusted on a scene-by-scene or even frame-by-frame basis.  
• Improved Quality: This dynamic adjustment results in deeper blacks, brighter highlights, and more accurate color reproduction, ensuring the visual experience remains true to the creator’s intent, especially on mid-range TVs.  
• Coexistence with Dolby Vision: Disney+ will continue to offer content in HDR10 and the competing dynamic HDR format, Dolby Vision, for devices that support it, offering users the highest possible quality regardless of their hardware preference.  

Our Take: A Critical Step for Inclusivity

Disney+’s adoption of HDR10+ is a necessary and welcome step that closes a significant gap in its platform’s visual quality offerings. By supporting both Dolby Vision and HDR10+, Disney+ ensures that all viewers with high-end, HDR-capable displays—regardless of manufacturer—can experience premium dynamic contrast and color. This is particularly important for Samsung users across the globe who were previously limited to standard HDR10 for most Disney+ content. The future promises a visually richer library for everyone.  

SOURCE: Engadget