M6: HDR in your daily life, with Advanced HDR (Technicolor)

The 2024 UEFA European Football Championship has been the framework in which the French network M6 has implemented for the first time the Advanced HDR technology of Technicolor, which allows high dynamic range to be easily integrated into broadcast retransmissions.

Historically, the adoption of HDR in France it has faced technical and regulatory obstacles, such as limited compatibility with Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) and decoders. The trial of the implementation of HDR in the production of M6 has been due to two fundamental facts: the tournament production in 1080p HDR by UEFA and the launch of a new DTT multiplex Optimized for high-quality HDR broadcasts.

Mathias Bejanin, M6's chief technology officer, had already explored the possibilities of UHD in the past, but the HDR horizon provides, in his own words, “a much more immersive experience for our viewers.” Implementing it at scale required a “seamless” integration of multiple technologies, which was made possible thanks to the system’s automation capabilities. Advanced HDR de Technicolor. In the words of Ryan Wallenberg, vice president of engineering Cobalt Digital: "From a production point of view, Cobalt Digital tools integrate Advanced HDR by Technicolor processes, allowing for seamless transitions between SDR and HDR content. This automation allows us to dynamically adjust signals while maintaining high-quality output, making it easier to deliver consistent experiences across different platforms."

Advanced HDR de Technicolor is built around processes of machine learning and automation, mimicking what an expert human operator would do to optimize SDR to HDR conversion by analyzing vast data sets and applying dynamic expansion curves. Another key feature is its single-layer distribution model, known as SL-HDR. This innovation allows broadcasters to transmit SDR and HDR content using a single signal, reducing bandwidth requirements and simplifying workflows.