At CES 2023, Disney, IMAX and DTS have announced that starting later this year Disney+ subscribers with a Sony or Hisense TV can enjoy 'IMAX signature sound by DTS'.

Disney+ added an IMAX Enhanced viewing option with up to 26% more picture for select Marvel movies in late 2021. At that time, the company teased that DTS audio would come later as part of the IMAX package.

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At CES, it was confirmed that it will happen sometime in 2023 where all IMAX Enhanced titles (see table) will gain what is referred to as 'IMAX signature sound by DTS'. It is also being described as "immersive audio", although there is no specific mention of DTS:X in the announcement.

- "In addition to IMAX's exclusive expanded aspect ratio, which launched on Disney+ in November 2021, IMAX signature sound by DTS will enable an elevated end-to-end experience specially calibrated to provide fans at home with IMAX-quality picture and sound," said Disney.

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IMAX DTS audio is confirmed to be compatible with IMAX Enhanced certified TVs from Sony and Hisense – possibly other TV brands, too – as well as AV receivers from Denon, Marantz, and JBL.

It is the first time that a major streaming service will support DTS audio. Today, only Sony's limited streaming service, Bravia Core, offers DTS audio. All other streaming services offer Dolby audio. Disney+ content will remain available in Dolby Atmos, too, and users will be able to select between different versions.


 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' will get the IMAX Enhanced treatment on Disney+. Photo: Marvel

Starting with Wakanda or Avatar 2?
Disney separately announced that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will be available to stream on Disney+ starting February 1 in the IMAX Enhanced aspect ratio. It is unclear if the addition of IMAX DTS is somehow related to this release. 

It could also be tied to Avatar: The Way of Water, which does not have a Disney+ release date yet, or something else entirely.

- "We're thrilled to bring audiences an even greater cinematic experience in the home and beyond as we roll out the next phase of IMAX Enhanced on Disney+," said Vikram Arumilli, SVP and GM, Streaming and Consumer Technology, IMAX Corp. "We can't wait for fans to experience more of our cutting-edge, unparalleled sight and sound advancements across the entire IMAX Enhanced collection on Disney+, with more titles soon to come."

IMAX Enhanced movies on Disney+
Marvel:
- Ant-Man and the Wasp
- Avengers: Endgame
- Avengers: Infinity War
- Black Panther
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (February 1)
- Black Widow
- Captain America: Civil War
- Captain Marvel
- Doctor Strange
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
- Eternals
- Guardians of the Galaxy
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
- Iron Man
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
- Thor: Love & Thunder
- Thor: Ragnarok

Pixar:
- Lightyear 
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