Report: HDR enters 3rd phase of evolution
October 13, 2026


A report from InterDigital and Parks Associates reveals that High Dynamic Range (HDR) is evolving from a premium picture-quality differentiator to a widespread feature of the video ecosystem, spanning TVs, streaming devices, smartphones, gaming platforms and live entertainment.
The report, High Dynamic Range and the Future of Video, examines the evolution of HDR across televisions, streaming services, live production, gaming and mobile devices, alongside the technologies enabling its continued growth. HDR expands brightness, contrast and colour to deliver images that more closely resemble what the human eye sees, and is increasingly supported across new TVs, streaming devices, gaming consoles and mobile devices.

Advances in AI-assisted video enhancement, cloud production and next-generation codecs are helping lower the technical and economic hurdles to broader deployment. While HDR is now commonplace for on-demand streaming, it is also being extended to live productions including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2026 Winter Olympics.


Looking ahead, the report finds that HDR is positioned to follow a path similar to HD and 4 to become a capability that viewers simply expect across movies, television, live events and games.



“Consumers may not always know HDR by name, but they recognise the experience it enables: richer colour, deeper contrast and a more lifelike picture,” commented Lionel Oisel, Head of Video Labs at InterDigital. “As HDR expands across streaming, live sports, gaming and mobile, the opportunity is to make that premium experience consistent and efficient on every screen. Innovation in HDR, video compression and delivery will be fundamental to making that possible.”
“HDR technology support has advanced faster than consumer understanding,” added report author Michael Goodman, Director, Entertainment Research at Parks Associates. “HDR is increasingly becoming an expected part of a high-quality viewing experience, and the industry is working to improve interoperability, reduce production complexity and communicate HDR’s value to consumers.”