Sky promised to invest in pin-sharp HDR (High Dynamic Range) earlier this year when it debuted support for the colourful picture format on its Sky Q boxes. But with no movies or sport available at launch, it was clear that it would take some time to roll out HDR across its channels.
Now the satellite TV firm has just revealed the next swathe of content that will be available in this stunning format, which starts with the release of Sky Originals Britannia II and Cobra, which stars Robert Carlyle. Bulletproof 2 will also get an HDR makeover from today and this will be followed by Save Me Too in late August, plus A Discovery of Witches plus Brassic 2 next month.
Sky is also reminding customers that it’s planning to have Sky Cinema movies in HDR in time for Christmas, with HDR live sport available in 2021.
Sky first began rolling out High Dynamic Range shows earlier this year, with those lucky enough to already have the right Smart TV and Sky Q box able to enjoy greater contrast between the darkest and lightest areas of the screen.
It’s a hugely welcome upgrade that seriously improves the quality of the picture – and easily the biggest upgrade to Sky Q since the arrival of Ultra HD 4K content. However, before you get too excited about an HDR binge there are big decisions you’ll need to make.
Sky has already confirmed not all Sky Q boxes are compatible with HDR (you can find the full list here) and those who don’t feature on the list will need to upgrade their current device at a cost of either £25 or £50 (depending on their current set-top box). This includes postage and packaging, admin costs, as well as the return of the customers’ old Q box.
However, paying out for a new Sky box isn’t the only decision customers need to make. That’s because when switching over to HDR you have to send your old set-top box back. As such, many of the hours of recordings could be lost as there’s no way to transfer the content you haven’t got around to watching quite yet to the new HDR-compatible Sky Q box that arrives through the letterbox.
One final thing to note is that there’s an added premium for HDR with customers needing to pay an extra £6 per month for the privilege.
Speaking about the colourful upgrade, Sky Group Chief Product Officer Fraser Stirling said: “We’re really excited to be launching HDR on Sky Q. We’re starting with some of our brilliant new Sky Nature shows on demand, with loads more fantastic HDR content coming throughout this year, like Sky originals and movies, followed by live HDR sport in 2021.”
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