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UK Broadcaster BBC just announced it will offer the 4K coverage of the FIFA 2018 Football World Cup from Russia (June 14-July 15) as part of a trial. The 4K coverage will be streamed in the BBC/NHK develloped HLG HDR variety through the BBC iPlayer service. As this is not broadcast, the BBC has decided to limit the number of stream per game.
The BBC only holds the rights to 29 of the tournaments 64 games, the other games are covered by ITV.
"A new trial will see all 29 of BBC One’s World Cup matches available in Ultra HD and High Dynamic Range (HDR) on BBC iPlayer - but fans should grab their seats early as there are a limited number of spaces available for each game. As part of the BBC’s pioneering work streaming live Ultra HD and High Dynamic Range programmes over the internet, this trial will be available to tens of thousands of people to watch on a first-come, first-served basis".
The second trial consists of an Virtual Reality stream offering a Skybox view for the games.
"The BBC’s first VR World Cup brings audiences live coverage of all 33 BBC matches from Russia through the dedicated BBC Sport VR - FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 app. It’s coming soon for free on Apple, Android, Gear VR, Oculus Go and PlayStation VR", the broadcaster said in a statement. adding: "Anyone with a smartphone or compatible VR headset can open the app and find themselves inside their very own luxury private box in a Russian stadium".
For Ultra HD, audiences will need an internet connection of at least 40Mbit/s for the full 3840 pixel Ultra HD or 20Mbit/s for 2560 pixel Ultra HD. Footage will be played at 50 frames per second. For the VR app's signal the broadcaster recommends a minimal internet connetcion speed of 10 Mbit/s.
It’s the first time the BBC has shown a major tournament live in Ultra HD on BBC iPlayer, with the trial giving tens of thousands of people a chance to watch the action in unprecedented quality. It’s also the first time the BBC has delivered live World Cup coverage in VR, allowing audiences to watch the World Cup like never before.
Matthew Postgate, BBC Chief Technology & Product Officer, says: “The BBC has brought major live broadcasting breakthroughs to UK audiences throughout the history of the World Cup. From the very first tournament on TV in 1954 and England’s finest hour in 1966, to the first colour World Cup in 1970 and full HD in 2006. Now, with these trials we’re giving audiences yet another taste of the future.”
The BBC only holds the rights to 29 of the tournaments 64 games, the other games are covered by ITV.
"A new trial will see all 29 of BBC One’s World Cup matches available in Ultra HD and High Dynamic Range (HDR) on BBC iPlayer - but fans should grab their seats early as there are a limited number of spaces available for each game. As part of the BBC’s pioneering work streaming live Ultra HD and High Dynamic Range programmes over the internet, this trial will be available to tens of thousands of people to watch on a first-come, first-served basis".
The second trial consists of an Virtual Reality stream offering a Skybox view for the games.
"The BBC’s first VR World Cup brings audiences live coverage of all 33 BBC matches from Russia through the dedicated BBC Sport VR - FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 app. It’s coming soon for free on Apple, Android, Gear VR, Oculus Go and PlayStation VR", the broadcaster said in a statement. adding: "Anyone with a smartphone or compatible VR headset can open the app and find themselves inside their very own luxury private box in a Russian stadium".
For Ultra HD, audiences will need an internet connection of at least 40Mbit/s for the full 3840 pixel Ultra HD or 20Mbit/s for 2560 pixel Ultra HD. Footage will be played at 50 frames per second. For the VR app's signal the broadcaster recommends a minimal internet connetcion speed of 10 Mbit/s.
It’s the first time the BBC has shown a major tournament live in Ultra HD on BBC iPlayer, with the trial giving tens of thousands of people a chance to watch the action in unprecedented quality. It’s also the first time the BBC has delivered live World Cup coverage in VR, allowing audiences to watch the World Cup like never before.
Matthew Postgate, BBC Chief Technology & Product Officer, says: “The BBC has brought major live broadcasting breakthroughs to UK audiences throughout the history of the World Cup. From the very first tournament on TV in 1954 and England’s finest hour in 1966, to the first colour World Cup in 1970 and full HD in 2006. Now, with these trials we’re giving audiences yet another taste of the future.”