Millions of Samsung TVs are getting a huge free upgrade — here's what you can watch now

Samsung Electronics announced that its TVs will be the first to support HDR10+ content on both Disney Plus and Hulu, providing enhanced contrast and vivid colors for over 1,000 titles. This significant upgrade, applicable to Samsung Crystal UHD TVs from 2018 onwards and select Smart Monitors, positions Samsung to deliver a premium viewing experience, especially as Netflix also expands its HDR10+ content, benefiting Samsung users whose devices often lack Dolby Vision support.

Analysis

Samsung Electronics has announced a significant upgrade, making its TVs the first to support HDR10+ content on both Disney Plus (DIS) and Hulu. This integration promises enhanced contrast and vivid colors across over 1,000 titles, positioning Samsung's display technology competitively. The upgrade extends to Samsung Crystal UHD TVs from 2018 onwards and select Smart Monitors, including upcoming 2025 models, ensuring a broad user base benefits.

This move is particularly strategic given that some Samsung TVs exclusively support HDR10+ over Dolby Vision, addressing a key content compatibility gap for its user base. Furthermore, Samsung plans to integrate Vision AI into these models, enhancing picture and sound quality and introducing new AI-driven viewing experiences. This dual focus on content and AI innovation reinforces Samsung's premium market positioning.

The announcement aligns with a broader industry trend, as Netflix (NFLX) is also expanding its HDR10+ content, aiming for over 5,500 hours by year-end 2025 and all HDR titles by then. This widespread adoption by major streaming platforms like Disney Plus, Hulu, and Netflix validates HDR10+ as a growing standard, potentially increasing subscriber engagement for these services on compatible devices. The general sentiment is strongly positive, indicating market recognition of these technological advancements.

Key Decisions for Investors

• Investors should monitor Samsung's market share in premium TV segments, as enhanced content compatibility and AI features could drive sales and brand loyalty.
• Evaluate the potential for increased subscriber engagement and retention for Disney Plus and Hulu, and Netflix, as expanded HDR10+ content improves the viewing experience for a significant portion of their user base.
• Consider the implications for the broader display technology market, as the growing adoption of HDR10+ by major content providers could influence future hardware development and consumer purchasing decisions.