This weekend saw the debut of BT Sport Ultra HD, the first live 4K sports channel in Europe, which showed the FA Community Shield.
Over the coming season the channel will also broadcast selected games from the UEFA Champions League, Barclays Premier League, FA Cup and Aviva Premiership Rugby.
BT Media & Broadcast has played a key role in pioneering the delivery of live 4K content and in 2013 filmed Rio Ferdinand’s testimonial match from Old Trafford in 4K in partnership with BT Sport.
This was shortly followed by a first live 4K international rugby transmission of Gloucester versus Saracens.
Earlier this year it was chosen by Star India to provide the complete 4K Production and Transmission solution to their Direct to Home (DTH) playout affiliates in India for the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia.
“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.” said BT Media & Broadcast VP Mark Wilson-Dunn.
“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. We are ready to go and looking forward to it.”
Jamie Hindhaugh, COO, BT Sport and BT TV, said: “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.”