BT last week launched Europe’s first Ultra HD 4K TV channel with the live broadcast of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford. The FA Community Shield was the first 4K match to be broadcast on the new channel, with other live events to be shown throughout the season, including selected games from the UEFA Champions League, Barclays Premier League, FA Cup and Aviva Premiership Rugby.
To access the service, customers will require a 4K-enabled YouView box and BT's Infinity broadband connection. The Ultra HD channel is offered through BT’s TV Entertainment Ultra HD service, which includes the 4K 1TB Ultra HD set-top box, bundled in a package that costs £15 (about $23) a month.
BT Media & Broadcast VP Mark Wilson-Dunn
There have been a number of recent industry forums which have cast doubt on the popularity of 4K, but I think that the ICC Cricket, and now this exciting announcement from BT Sport, proves that the industry is actually ready to embrace this huge enhancement to viewer experience. From an outside broadcast and network delivery perspective, we have done a huge amount of work and learned a great deal about the best ways to deliver 4K both from a technology and craft perspective.
Jamie Hindhaugh, COO, BT Sport and BT TV
BT Sport’s UEFA Champions League coverage sets out to bring viewers the best ever experience of football’s leading club competition. Our 4K coverage of the UEFA Champions League alongside other competitions will bring a truly cinematic experience into fans living rooms.
