- UEFA has removed 4K UHD broadcasting from two upcoming major tournament finals
- Industry expert says decision reflects broader trend in sports broadcasting
- Is Sheffield United the worst team in Premier League history? Listen to the It’s all starting! podcast
UEFA has reportedly decided not to capture upcoming major football finals in 4K UHD.
Football has been captured in 4K for over a decade, with Sky broadcasting the first live Premier League clash filmed in this format in 2013.
BT Sport also proved to be a pioneer in ultra high definition streaming in the UK, launching the first dedicated 4K channel, BT Sport Ultra HD, in 2015.
Since 2015, UEFA has filmed each year’s men’s Champions League final in 4K, and coverage of the European Championship followed suit the following year.
However, football’s governing body across the continent is said to have decided not to continue the practice, with this year’s Champions League final and the upcoming Euro 2024 to be filmed in 1080p HDR.
UEFA is said to have made the decision to abandon UHD broadcasting for upcoming major events.
Both the upcoming Champions League final and Euro 2024 will not be captured in 4K
According to a report from International Broadcasting ConventionThe decision is due to the lack of interest of the broadcasters and rights holders of the respective contests.
The report states that viewers are largely unwilling to foot the premium bill that comes with higher resolution streams.
EMG/Gravity Media boss Eamonn Curtin told IBC that UEFA’s decision reflects a broader trend in sports broadcasting.
“There has been a change in the delivery format for many major international tournaments and also for domestic tournaments, where broadcasters now consider 1080p HDR as the chosen one.” He said.
“Technically, it is an advantage for us, since we only have to produce and manage one signal instead of the four that make up the UHD signal.”