Sky Q is adding to its range of high dynamic range content with the roll out of support for Netflix’s extensive catalogue of movies and shows.
Sky Group Ltd.’s premium satellite and TV-on-demand service first gained HDR support for select content in May, but it wasn’t extended to Netflix at that time, though the company did promise to add it in a few months.
Sky has now delivered on that promise. In a press release, it said HDR support for Netflix is being rolled out to Sky Q subscribers from this week. Those who have the Sky Q Experience of HD + Ultra HD add-on to their package, own a compatible Sky Q 2TB box and have access to Netflix Premium, will now be able to watch Netflix content in HDR.
The roll out is being staggered though, as Sky said in its release that Netflix HDR will be made available to all users by the middle of November. It said that all compatible Netflix shows and films will be available in the HDR10 format, but not that premium HDR10+ or Dolby Vision formats. That’s a shame because while Netflix does support Dolby Vision, Sky Q is yet to do so.
What this means for Sky Q users is they’ll now have access to a much wider range of content in HDR. Some of the top Netflix titles that support it include David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet, Enola Holmes, Ratched and The Haunting of Bly Manor.
“It’s great to add Netflix’s HDR films and TV shows to the growing collection of stunning HDR content on Sky Q, giving our customers a brighter, bolder and more realistic viewing experience," said Sky Group Group Chief Product Officer Fraser Stirling. "Netflix HDR is the latest in a string of new features we’ve added to Sky Q, including; enhanced voice search, a sleek new home screen design and apps like Fiit and Roxi, making it easier for customers to find more of what they love in one place.”
Sky Q currently only has a limited range of its own titles in HDR so the addition of Netflix content is certainly welcome. At present, Sky’s original HDR content includes just three nature documentaries and six of its original shows, including Cobra and Bulletproof 2. Sky said it is planning to add more titles in HDR very soon though, with originals such as Patrick Melrose and Code 404 due to arrive later this month, and more nature shows coming in November. Subscribers to the service can also access some Disney+ content in HDR.
Sky is also planning to launch its first original movie in HDR, The Secret Garden, on October 23, and will introduce HDR live sport sometime in 2021.
