Sky now offers a considerable amount of high dynamic range (HDR) content on its Sky Q box, with Formula One racing coverage recently added to a lineup that already includes Premier League football matches, movies and TV shows.

There are some major caveats to watch HDR content though: you need a compatible Sky Q box for starters - not all Sky Q boxes can output HDR. You can find a compatibility list below.

You'll also need to be a Sky Q UHD or Q Experience subscriber (unless you only want to watch Disney+ in HDR).

You will need a TV compatible with the hybrid log gamma (HLG) version of HDR too - most modern 4K HDR TVs support it, although some older sets might not.

That's a fair few boxes to tick (pardon the pun), but if you have the right kit, here's how to watch HDR content on Sky Q.

How to watch Sky Q in 4K HDR

If you have a HDR-enabled Sky Q box (see compatability list below) you will be able to watch movies, TV shows and live sports in 4K HDR.

Just start the content and your TV should show "HLG HDR" or just "HDR" somewhere on screen to prove it's working.

Most supporting shows and films will also have Ultra HDR in their Sky Q menu description.

Is my Sky Q box compatible with HDR?

If HDR is not playing on your compatible TV, it could mean that your Sky Q box itself is not supported.

To check if it is head to Settings > System Info > Hardware version and check the model number.

If it is one of the following, it is HDR compatible:

  • 32B1xx - Sky Q 2TB
  • 32B203 or 32B204 - Sky Q 1TB
  • 32B205 or 32B206 - Sky Q 1TB/2TB

However, if the model number starts with the following, it does not support HDR:

  • 32B0xx - Sky Q 2TB
  • 32C0xx - Sky Q 1TB
  • 32C1xx - Sky Q 1TB

Sky Q Mini boxes are not compatible. Nor are previous Sky+ set-top-boxes.

If your Sky Q 1TB or 2TB box is not compatible, you can upgrade it for a one-off fee. Check out our handy guide on how that works: How to upgrade your Sky Q box for a HDR-compatible model and what you need to consider.

Note: if you own a Sky Glass TV you don't need to do anything as the TV itself is 4K HDR compatible. You just need an Ultra HDR subscription add-on.

What is available in HDR on Sky Q?

Sky is rapidly rolling out HDR programming.

Many movies are now listed as supporting HDR. There are plenty of TV series that offer HDR too - mainly via Sky's own Originals.

HDR sports started with the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and, as of the start of the 2021/22 season, Sky's Premier League matches have also been available in 4K HDR.

The entirety of the F1 2022 season, including practice, qualifying and the races themselves will be broadcast in HDR too.

Both Netflix and Disney+ apps and content support HDR, where applicable, as well.

You can find out more about watching HDR content on Sky Q here.