Shout! Factory Announces Its First Slate of 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Titles

5 Jan, 2016 By: Erik Gruenwedel

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Shout! Factory Jan. 5 unveiled its first slate of former Imax theatrical titles slated for release in 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray with high dynamic range (HDR). 4K UHD is said to offer four-times the clarity and color contrast of 1080p resolution.

The titles include: Journey to Space (narrated by Patrick Stewart), Humpback Whales (narrated by Ewan McGregor), Flight of the Butterflies (including digital), Rocky Mountain Express, Wonders of the Arctic (narrated by Victor Garber) and The Last Reef: Cities Beneath the Sea.

Space and Whales spearhead Shout’s 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray slate in late spring/early summer. Garrett Lee, former EVP of product development at Inception Media, handled the distribution rights for Shout! Factory.

Using extensive interviews with astronauts Chris Ferguson (commander of the final shuttle mission) and Serena Aunon (a new astronaut chosen for future flights), as well as narration by Stewart, Journey to Space gives an overview of past space accomplishments, current activities and future plans.

Set in the waters of Alaska, Hawaii and islands of Tonga, Humpback Whales offers audiences an up-close look at how these creatures communicate, sing, feed, play and take care of their young. 

“As Ultra HD devices and entertainment content begins to populate the consumer marketplace, we are announcing our commitment to the UHD format,” Melissa Boag, SVP of kids and family entertainment at Shout! Factory, said in a statement. “We look forward to presenting these movies in UHD around the same time the traditional Blu-ray Disc edition hits national retail.”

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