While we haven’t seen the broadcast and cable sports networks totally embracing the next generation of high definition television, DirecTV is. It has increased its 4K ultra high definition offerings this year. To wit, it’s airing two more live games in ultra HD this week.
The latest
It’s all part of DirecTV’s and its parent company, AT&T’s strategy to offer sports in 4K to stand out from its competitors. Already, this year, DirecTV has aired the Masters, Daytona 500, college basketball, NBA, the Rio Olympics UFC and selected golf tournaments in 4K.
As networks look to the future, it has left what was thought to the next big thing, 3D TV in the rear view mirror. Networks like ESPN invested heavily in 3D, but viewers were reluctant to buy new TV sets complete with the glasses that were necessary to watch it.
But with 4K, there’s no need for glasses and the picture is sharper than the current generation of HD, provided you have a larger TV in the range of 50 inches.
Even so, DirecTV is forging ahead with 4K content and with more people buying the next-gen sets, they’ll need content to watch. So far, DirecTV is in the forefront of doing just that.
About Ken Fang
Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.
He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.
Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.