The Explorers 8K-HDR content on Samsung
September 5, 2019
By Chris Forrester
Three major European OTT streaming services are placing their High Dynamic Range (HDR10+) content onto Samsung’s high-end 8K and 4K screens.
Samsung Electronics has established itself as the leader of the HDR (High Dynamic Range) specification industry. With content from international travel and environmental content The Explorers, plus CHILI and MEGOGO – three key OTT service providers in Europe – they will adopt 8K HDR10+ along with its support for 4K HDR10+.
HDR10+ technology optimises brightness and maximises the contrast ratio, making bright areas brighter and dark areas darker. The feature is available on all UHD TV and 2019 8K TV models, including Samsung’s line-up of QLED TVs.
Aside from the aforementioned OTT streaming services, several other industry-leading content partners are collaborating with Samsung. Rakuten TV, Deutsche Telekom’s Magenta TV and Videociety are all expected to adopt HDR10+ support for its respective VOD services between Q4 2019 and Q1 2020. Also, Molotov, the first French OTT streaming service to offer live and on-demand TV channels all in one place, is also considering adopting HDR10+. The growing list of premiere content partners is a testament to the industry’s commitment to the best viewing experience possible for consumers.
HDR10+ content availability continues to expand. Recent announcements from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment debuting HDR10+ on UHD Blu-ray with The Secret Life of Pets 2 and Godzilla: King of the Monsters, respectively, add to the UHD Blu-ray discs already released from Twentieth Century Fox and others.
Since Samsung began the HDR10+ logo certification program with Panasonic and 20th Century Fox last year, 81 companies have joined the programme, boosting the its influence in the industry. Samsung has also strengthened its effort with the new opening of an HDR10+ centre in China last December, following Korea, Japan and the US. With TV manufacturers such as Hisense obtaining HDR10+ certification in China, the HDR10+ alliance is expected to expand even further.
Along with HDR10+ certifications of existing TVs and smartphone products, Samsung is working to implement the program for its B2B products. For example, micro LED models such as The Wall Pro and The Wall Lux have been HDR10+ certified, and the company plans to expand the ecosystem to include Samsung’s line of LED products.