Hulu Now Supports HDR on Original Content

Hulu Introduces HDR Viewing Support

Hulu has recently initiated support for High Dynamic Range (HDR) viewing, a feature that has been available on competing platforms for several years. The implementation of HDR capabilities commenced on August 19th, as reported to TechCrunch, and is expected to become universally accessible to users possessing HDR-compatible devices within the next few days.

Initial HDR Content Availability

Currently, Hulu’s HDR support is limited to select original series, including acclaimed titles such as “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Nine Perfect Strangers.” However, the streaming provider has affirmed its commitment to progressively expanding HDR compatibility to both newly released and pre-existing content.

Identifying HDR Content

Users equipped with HDR-enabled devices will notice a distinctive badge displayed on the details page of eligible shows. This indicator signifies that the content can be streamed in HDR format. According to Hulu’s support documentation – where the feature’s initial deployment was observed – HDR content within the Hulu application is compatible with a range of devices.

• Roku (HDR-compatible models)
• Fire TV
• Fire TV Stick
• Fire TV Cube
• Apple TV 4K
• Vizio
• Chromecast Ultra

Hulu advises users to ensure their devices are updated to the latest firmware version to optimize their viewing experience.

A Late Addition to the HDR Landscape

Historically, Hulu has been comparatively deliberate in adopting technologies like HDR, which significantly enhances the visual experience. HDR differs from resolution standards like 4K; it improves image quality by broadening the contrast ratio and color spectrum, resulting in a more realistic picture.

Other streaming services were quicker to embrace HDR. YouTube launched HDR support in 2016, while Amazon and Netflix integrated the feature in the preceding year. Despite sharing a parent company, Disney, with Hulu, Disney+ had already implemented HDR support for a portion of its content library.

Subscription Pricing

While some streaming platforms, such as Netflix, offer tiered subscription plans with premium pricing for access to HD or Ultra HD content, Hulu currently does not impose additional charges for higher-quality streaming, including HDR.