Disney+ has officially commenced streaming movies and shows in the HDR10+ format, marking a significant enhancement in its HDR offerings. However, it's important to note that this support is currently limited, with only select content from Hulu—a platform acquired by The Walt Disney Company in June—available in HDR10+. In a recent announcement, Samsung revealed that “over 1,000” titles from Hulu are now accessible in HDR10+, and they indicated that “additional Disney+” content will also support HDR10+ “in the future.” Previously, the only HDR formats supported by Disney+ were HDR10 and Dolby Vision HDR.
According to Samsung’s announcement today, their TVs are the first devices to enable the streaming of HDR10+ content from Disney+. This includes a wide range of models, specifically Samsung Crystal UHD TVs and above from 2018 onwards, which encompasses OLED TVs, The Frame TVs, QLED TVs, and Micro RGB TVs. Additionally, the Disney+ app on Apple's tvOS has been noted to include HDR10+ support, as highlighted by FlatpanelsHD.
Since its inception, Hulu has offered content in various HDR formats, including HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision, starting from 2021. With Disney's acquisition of Hulu and the creation of a unified app that integrates both Disney+ and Hulu content, the platform is now capable of delivering a limited selection of titles in the HDR10+ format.
This announcement is particularly beneficial for Samsung TV users, especially since Samsung TVs do not support Dolby Vision. By introducing HDR10+, Disney+ aims to enhance its appeal among home theater enthusiasts who prefer Samsung, the world’s leading TV manufacturer.
When comparing HDR10+ to its predecessor HDR10, the former employs dynamic metadata, providing content creators with the ability to adjust the visual presentation of each individual frame. Both HDR10+ and its competitor Dolby Vision significantly improve black levels and overall image quality on HDR displays. However, Dolby Vision offers even more advanced features, including enhanced color control through 12-bit color depth and various profiles and levels, as detailed by Dolby. This capability, along with Dolby Vision's earlier introduction to the market, has contributed to its wider adoption in the streaming realm.
Despite the dominance of Dolby Vision, the addition of HDR10+ support can provide a competitive edge for streaming services like Disney+, which face increasing scrutiny from viewers amid intensifying competition and rising subscription prices. For instance, Netflix has included HDR10+ support since March, and other platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV also offer HDR10+ streaming.
Notably, while some streaming services necessitate users to upgrade to more expensive subscription tiers for HDR access, Disney+ allows subscribers on its most affordable plan to stream content in HDR. This strategic enhancement of HDR capabilities comes on the heels of recent price increases for Disney+'s streaming service, positioning it as a more attractive option for viewers seeking high-quality streaming experiences.
