Orange tv finally joins the hdr party: champions league gets the upgrade
Spanish football fans, rejoice! Orange TV subscribers with a football package can now enjoy the Champions League in glorious HDR. After Movistar Plus+ launched its HDR channels in late March, Orange has finally caught up, albeit with its trademark methodical rollout. The wait is over – the beautiful game just got a visual upgrade.
A delayed, but welcome, arrival
Orange’s journey to HDR hasn’t been a sprint. They’ve already offered HDR for LaLiga matches, but the Champions League channels (116 and 124) were conspicuously absent… until now. The rollout, as is often the case with Orange, involved a period of testing to ensure a seamless viewing experience. This cautious approach, while sometimes frustrating for eager fans, ultimately aims to prevent the buffering and glitches that can plague live sports broadcasts.
Why the sudden shift? The impetus isn't Orange's doing, but rather UEFA’s decision to adopt HDR for select Champions League matches this season. The key detail? HDR isn't available for every game, but only from the Quarter-Final stage onward – meaning the Madrid vs. Munich clash kicking off this week will be the first to showcase the enhanced visual fidelity.
What to expect: channel lineup and viewing details
So, where can you find these shiny new channels? Orange TV subscribers with football packages will now see Liga de Campeones HDR (channel 116) and Liga de Campeones 2 HDR (channel 124) accessible via their web portal, app, or set-top box. The program guide clearly indicates which matches will be broadcast in HDR, ensuring you don’t miss a single moment of the action. For example, tonight’s Real Madrid versus Bayern Munich match will be available in HDR on channel 116.
This isn’t merely a cosmetic upgrade; HDR offers a wider range of colors and improved contrast, bringing the intensity of the Champions League to life like never before. While the rollout was slower than some might have preferred, the end result – high-quality, visually stunning Champions League coverage – is a victory for Spanish football fans.
The move by UEFA to embrace HDR, even selectively, signals a broader trend toward higher-quality broadcast standards in European football. Orange’s belated adoption, while characteristic of its operational style, ultimately delivers on the promise of a richer, more immersive viewing experience. Expect more operators to follow suit as the demand for premium sports content continues to surge.