Whether or not Netflix eventually acquires Warner Bros. Discovery, the streamer is a formidable TV and movie studio in its own right. There’s always a new high-budget TV show in the works at Netflix, or a blockbuster movie that exhibitors would love to get their hands on if the streamer would only share with theaters.

With more than 300 million global customers, Netflix has a lot of appetites to serve — including customers who want the best possible audio quality every time they watch video, no matter what. We’ll explain how to use Netflix’s premium audio formats and which plans have them available here.

Everything you need to know about premium audio formats on Netflix

Which premium audio formats are available on Netflix?

Netflix offers Dolby Atmos or 5.1 surround sound with most titles in its library. All viewers with a TV or connected audio device that supports these formats can watch premium audio formats with any available title on the streaming service. Keep in mind, however, that not every episode or season of a given TV show will have these options available, and that these formats are not available in every language.

Netflix also offers immersive spatial audio with select subscriptions. The streamer cautions that TVs or soundbars that use 5.1 or Dolby Atmos will automatically use that technology instead of spatial audio, and to switch to stereo to use spatial audio when watching.

Are premium audio formats available on all Netflix plans?

Dolby Atmos and 5.1 surround sound are both available on all Netflix plans, from the Standard With Ads tier to the Premium plan. Spatial audio is only available on select titles for Premium subscribers, however. Netflix’s Premium plan costs $25 per month and includes the ability to stream in 4K in addition to using spatial audio and other features.

How to turn on premium audio on Netflix

There’s no need to adjust your audio settings to use premium formats on Netflix. The streamer will detect the best audio format your TV or device can use, and play your chosen video in that format automatically.

How to see if premium audio formats are available on Netflix

If you’re wondering whether or not a title on Netflix has premium audio available, just go to that title’s details page. The 5.1, Atmos, or spatial audio logos will be found next to the title’s description when they can be used with that show or movie.

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Netflix

Netflix is a leading subscription-based video streaming service that offers on-demand access to an extensive library of over 3,000 movies, 2,000+ TV shows, and a growing collection of acclaimed Netflix originals. Renowned for producing groundbreaking content, Netflix has become a cultural powerhouse with hit originals like “Stranger Things,” “Wednesday,” “Squid Game,” “The Crown,” “Tiger King,” “Bridgerton,” “The Witcher,” and “Black Mirror.”

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The platform constantly updates its catalog, introducing fresh content alongside timeless classics and international hits. Netflix’s commitment to storytelling has also earned critical acclaim, with award-winning exclusives such as “Roma,” “Marriage Story,” “The Power of the Dog,” “Mank,” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” In 2023, their animated film “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, further solidifying Netflix’s reputation for high-quality content.

Recently, Netflix has expanded beyond standard movies and TV titles with the addition of video podcasts, and is also exploring a digital store that would offer third-party streamers within the app.

Netflix offers three plans – stream on 2 devices in HD with the “Standard with Ads” ($8.99) plan, on 2 devices in HD with the “Standard” ($19.99) plan, and 4 devices in up to 4K on the “Premium” ($26.99) plan.

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