Netflix improves streaming quality
Netflix is adding HDR10+ streaming, which gives superior visual quality, to its programming. This will work with AV1 specs, which is now the standard for streaming 4K video. Netflix is using HDR10+ on some titles now, with the hope to offer it on all content. HDR10+ is the most advanced HDR technology, enhancing the dynamic range and color accuracy. Netflix Premium subscribers with a device that supports both HDR10+ and AV1 will be able to watch content in HDR10+.
The Circana Take:
- Staying current with premium A/V specs is important to the videophile and simply provides a best in class experience.
NBCU FAST channels on LG TVs
NBCU will launch 40 FAST channels on LG smart TVs. The channel categories will span entertainment, news, sports, and true-crime programming. Several channels are already available including NBC News Now, Dateline 24/7, and SNL Vault. Channels showing classics like “Little House on the Prairie,” “Murder, She Wrote” and “Saved by the Bell” will be added soon, in addition to Universal Pictures films, crime, and monster movies. Local news and sports programming are also scheduled to launch, but no time frame has been announced.
The Circana Take:
- Beyond programming, this expanded partnership is about advertising revenues from the content and tech features such as NBCU Checkout and LG webOS Pay.
Plex price increases
Streaming aggregator Plex is increasing its Plex Pass pricing from $5/month to $7/month and from $40/year to $70/year at the end of April. The price for a Lifetime Plex Pass will also increase from $120 to $250. That is a significant increase but the first in more than ten years. Plex Pass features include being able to skip intros/credits, downloads and Plex DVR. Plex is also starting to charge for its remote playback feature which had been free.
The Circana Take:
- It might not be tariffs but growing profitability these days is directly tied to passing price increase onto consumers.