Google's movie service, Play Movies, now offers movies in 4K and HDR10+ in 117 countries. Samsung is a launch partner but additional platforms will follow
HDR10+ movies
As promised at CES 2020, Google now offers movies in HDR10+, the dynamic metadata HDR format developed mainly by Samsung. Google also recently added support for Dolby Vision, meaning that some of its movies are available in a total of three HDR flavors.
Some of Google's first titles in HDR10+ include Joker, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Shazam!, and Crazy Rich Asians. Additional titles will be added over time.
Samsung is a launch partner and it was confirmed that Google's HDR10+ titles will be made available on "other additional platforms in the future as well".
- "The HDR10+ service is now available on Samsung Smart TV in 117 countries including North America, Europe and Korea," said Samsung. "Users can now enjoy high-resolution HDR10+ 4K HDR content on the Google Play Movies."
'Joker' is now available in HDR10, HDR10+ & Dolby Vision on Google Play Movies
HDR10+ still struggling
In 2017, Samsung, Panasonic and 20th Century Fox formed the HDR10+ alliance but HDR10+ has been struggling to build momentum against Dolby's HDR format, Dolby Vision, which is more widely adopted.
Panasonic now supports Dolby Vision in addition to HDR10+ in its TVs while 20th Century Fox has been swallowed by Disney who has seemingly abandoned HDR10+ for Fox titles. Samsung is the sole holdout.
Google's launch cannot be seen as a win for HDR10+ either as the company is also offering content in Dolby's HDR.
Samsung said that there are now 108 HDR10+ partners worldwide, although only a handful of these are consumer-facing companies. The company added that it remains committed to the format.
