Even though 4K quality is already present in many homes and is one of the most used options for watching streaming movies, it has not yet fully caught on today. It is no longer so rare to find a home with a UHD Smart TV, in fact, practically all televisions sold offer this image resolution. However, in the absence of commitment to this quality, it seems that the improved HD is gaining points. But what is it exactly?
In Spain, for example, the number of television channels watched in 4K is very small, and most of them are pay-per-view. Although there is also the case of RTVE’s La 1 UHD. However, it is not common and, it seems, sports networks in Europe no longer view 4K so favorably. On this occasion, it was UEFA who has eliminated the 4K UHD broadcast of two major tournament finals.
Without 4K, better with HD HDR
One of the sporting events of the year for many users will not be seen in 4K. We are referring to the 2024 Champions League final. And all because UEFA has decided to go from 4K to 1080p this year. Just as this decision has only been made for this final, but also for other important sports tournaments, such as the upcoming Europe 2024, which will not be broadcast in UHD.
According to the latest news, it seems that the organization wants to cut costs, which is why it adopts this cost-saving measure and in turn, the different channels will give up the ultra high definition format for an improved HD.
Neither more nor less than it is an HD with HDR, that is, with high dynamic range technology with which image quality is improved by expanding the brightness range of the screens. To do this, it will be necessary to use new cameras that adapt to this type of recording. It is clear that the ideal would be to broadcast in 4K HDR, but after so many years, it is still not profitable. And we must remember that since 2015, the Champions League has been produced and broadcast in 4K. For example, the latest reports explain that viewers, at least a majority, are not willing to pay more to enjoy higher resolution broadcasts.
Euro Cup and Champions League without 4K?
Since the latest IBC report, they explain that it is possible that some channels promote Euro 2024 or the 2024 Men’s Champions League final as in 4K UHD, however, it will only be an internal improvement from 1080p, that is, a rescaling to ultra high definition. And all because UEFA will not be responsible for the production and broadcast in this image resolution.
For this reason, given the change in the delivery format of many important international tournaments, the networks have preferred to choose 1080p HDR as the most appropriate option at all times. Just as this is also an advantage for the chains themselves, since the technical management itself is less complicated.
