On March 13 you can experience nature documentary Planet Earth II in its original format. It will be released on UHD Blu-ray with 4K resolution, High Dynamic Range and 5.1 surround sound.

Update 17.03.17 The UHD Blu-ray disc will be released in the US on March 28. It can be pre-ordered here

On UHD Blu-ray
More than a decade ago Planet Earth helped usher in the HD era and in the same way Planet Earth II will likely introduce lots of people to the amazing viewing experience that 4K and HDR can deliver.

 
Planet Earth II will be presented in amazing picture quality with 4K resolution, a wide color space, and an extended dynamic range. Combined, and by using the HDR10 format, these will deliver more details, more accurate colors tones, and more realistic specular highlights and shadow details. Audio is available in 5.1 DTS surround. Of course, if you want the full experience you need a true HDR TV as well as an UHD Blu-ray player.

- “The picture quality is astonishing. For the first time viewers can experience at home the picture quality viewed in the edit suite. The vastly improved compression of UHD Blu-ray with HDR means the experience is up to 10 times better than any broadcast or streaming service can provide,” said Lesley Johnson, Operations Director UK for BBC Worldwide.

The documentary series has so far been broadcast only in HD quality. DirecTV and Dish are planning to broadcast it in 4K resolution (but not HDR) in the US. BBC has also been running a 4K streaming trial. There are no current plans to offer Planet Earth II in 4K and HDR via either broadcast or streaming.


Available for pre-order
Planet Earth II was filmed in 117 locations in 40 different countries. It is presented by Sir David Attenborough and set to music by Hans Zimmer.

BBC says that Amazon UK has started taking pre-orders with deliveries expected on March 13. The international release date was not announced. 

You can pre-order it now for 40 UK pounds or $40 dollars. A regular HD Blu-ray is included in the box. 

- Source: BBC