Dish brings Netflix 4K content to the Hopper 3, expands on limited UltraHD content options

Dish Network (NASDAQ: DISH) is taking its integration of Netflix into the realm of 4K, announcing that UltraHD content on the SVOD provider will be playable on its new Hopper 3 DVRs.

The Hopper 3 offers native 4K support, decoding and outputting 60 frames per second and 10-bit color.

The U.S. pay-TV market is somewhat bereft right now of 4K programming. DirectTV (NYSE: T) is about to change that somewhat, with the launch of three dedicated UltraHD channels, which will feature the PGA's Masters tournament this month.

But for the most part, companies that have entered the 4K market — which also includes Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA) — have been limited to a few recent (and mostly archival) films from a specific major studio, as well as a small bundle of nature documentaries.

Dish, for example, has a limited number of recent and library titles in 4K from Sony Pictures to offer, as well as concert films from The Orchard and documentaries from Mance Media.

However, the major SVOD services, which also includes Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), are beginning to shoot their original series in 4K. Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX), for example, offers Marvel-produced series Daredevil and the Emmy-winning House of Cards in the format.

"Netflix is actively taking steps to broaden the availability of Ultra HD content, with plans to provide more than 600 hours by the end of this year," said Vivek Khemka, Dish executive VP and CTO. "As the cost of 4K TVs continues to decrease, consumer adoption of and interest in Ultra HD technology becomes more widespread. We're making every effort to provide our Hopper 3 customers with additional access to 4K programming as it's made available."

For more:
- read this Dish press release

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