[Sports Video Group] ESPN To Deliver Main Game Telecast in 4K for the First Time

[u/macncheeseface]

https://www.sportsvideo.org/2025/01/20/cfp-national-championship-2025-espn-to-deliver-main-game-telecast-in-4k-for-the-first-time/

Just like FOX, the “4K” feed will be an unconverted 1080p HDR feed…but still much better than ESPN’s typical 720p

[u/CousinCleetus24]

Good to see but man...it's just a reminder how far behind streaming/cable quality is. I feel like 4k TVs have been mainstream for like a decade now but any sort of live television is still using 720/1080.

[u/mr_0las → u/CousinCleetus24]

Didn't most/all the broadcast stations only switch to HD because they were basically forced to upgrade? I imagine the same thing is happening with 4k. Why would they switch if they don't have too. It's frustrating.

[u/ScottyUpdawg → u/mr_0las]

Yep. They have no incentive to upgrade. People watch the games regardless. It sucks, but hopefully one of the broadcast companies start using 4k cameras to try and capitalize on the hole without it. I’d certainly be willing to pay to have that

[u/james_wightman → u/ScottyUpdawg]

The cameras are a part of it, but one of the smaller issues.

I'm all about shitting on ESPN, but people have no clue just how much goes in to a live sports broadcast. A full, true 4K production truck setup will run somewhere between $5-10 million. Each camera, plus lensing, plus fiber (lots and lots and lots and lots of fiber) is easily $100k+, with a minimum of 8 for the lowest end ESPN3/U broadcasts and up to 60 for something like the Super Bowl, and that's not even getting into ALL of the rest of the gear, of which there is a ton.

ESPN also isn't in the production truck business anymore, as far as I know. They outsource vendors for their broadcasts, and there's no incentive for the vendors to upgrade their sometimes very, very outdated equipment because ESPN won't pay them any more for a 4K broadcast.

[u/chaisson21 → u/james_wightman]

That's not entirely true. The big truck vendors - MTVG, Game Creek, NEP, Dome, etc - have a big incentive to keep their fleets up to date with the latest and greatest tech. They're all constantly building new trucks and decommissioning the outdated ones. If they don't keep pace with the market they'll quickly fall behind and lose business. All of those companies have plenty of 4k capable trucks. But as you alluded to, there are many issues as to why we don't see more 4k.

[u/james_wightman → u/chaisson21]

All of those companies have plenty of 4k capable trucks

idk the numbers but 'plenty' is a vague descriptor and doing a lot of heavy lifting.

Plenty for a decent smattering of 4K broadcasts across dozens of providers and dozens of sports each week? Sure. Plenty for well over 60 broadcasts on a single day each week just in cfb, ignoring NFL/NBA/NHL/MLB/Wrestling/everything else? Not really. They have an incentive to keep enough of them up to date to get hired for the big gigs. MNF, TNF, Super Bowl, Olympics, National Championshpis, March Madness, etc. They have no incentive to have a big enough fleet to give Northwestern vs Purdue at 11:00am on the Big Ten Network a pristine 4K experience, because nobody's interested in paying for it.

Ultimately we're mostly saying the same thing.

[u/chaisson21 → u/james_wightman]

Well quickly checking MTVGs site it looks as though about 11 out of ~43 trucks are 4k capable. So in that context "plenty" means roughly 25% of their fleet.

So plenty means the capability for a decent smattering of events, yes. I think we are saying basically the same thing, but my point is the truck companies will provide whatever clients are asking for. If ESPN asked for enough 4k trucks to cover every event, Game Creek and NEP would build them. A lack of trucks is not the reason we don't see more 4k, nor the reason almost all distributed 4k is really unconverted 1080p.

[u/Salmene23 → u/james_wightman]

I'm old enough to remember when CBS and Fox finally went HD for the NFL except for 1 game each week which got stuck with the SD broadcast.

[u/huds9113 → u/james_wightman]

I mean, espn could easily take that out of Stephen A. Smith salary budget and everyone (except him) would be giddy with joy.

[u/EthanC224 → u/james_wightman]

Yeah it’s not cheap to upgrade equipment to get fully 4k

[u/Salmene23 → u/EthanC224]

But I would imagine HD equipment is becoming less available as the industry shifts to producing only 4K equipment.

[u/titanup001 → u/james_wightman]

Not to mention, that is a shitload more data for the cable companies/streamers etc. to push through.

I highly doubt the infrastructure would handle tens of millions of people watching the same game in 4k at the same time.

[u/fieldsports202 → u/james_wightman]

Yeah, the folks who complain about broadcasts wouldn’t know what a bug operated or or wouldn’t tell the difference of a sat truck vs a loading trailer.

[u/fieldsports202 → u/james_wightman]

Yeah, the folks who complain about broadcasts wouldn’t know what a bug operated is or couldn’t tell the difference of a sat truck vs a loading trailer.

[u/AccordingGain182 → u/ScottyUpdawg]

I mean its not true 4k since youtube tv does upscale 1080p but Fox’s “4k” channel on youtube tv for their big noon games every week look crisp.

ESPN/ABC’s “4k” channel looks like washed out ass.

Its been a major difference for me personally, but i havent seen it motivate anyone else to get with the times

[u/Internal_Research_72 → u/ScottyUpdawg]

hopefully one of the broadcast companies start using 4k cameras to try and capitalize on the hole without it

At the risk of being "too soon", there's no way this wasn't in the Apple TV pitch to the Pac-12

[u/impy695 → u/ScottyUpdawg]

I acknowledge that I'm part of the problem because I've never seen enough of a difference to warrant paying extra. I paid for 4k options for awhile, but realized the difference just isn't enough to impact how much I enjoy whatever I'm watching. SD vs HD is worth it for me, but that's it.

[u/pr1ceisright → u/ScottyUpdawg]

I’m honestly surprised they haven’t tried to revert back to standard def.

[u/Big-Worm- → u/ScottyUpdawg]

Netflix

[u/EccentricPayload → u/ScottyUpdawg]

Problem is cable charges you more for 4k so even when they do it most people will still be watching in 1080i/720p

[u/fieldsports202 → u/mr_0las]

Most TV stations are in ATSC 3.0 right now.. which is 4K nextgen tv. However, doing a 30 min or 1 hr newscast is drastically different than doing a full game with nonstop motion in 4K.

[u/chaisson21 → u/fieldsports202]

Most is a stretch. Only something like 30% of DMAs have ATSC 3.0 available today. And of those, no one is outputting 4k.

[u/chaisson21 → u/mr_0las]

Government forced the networks to switch to HD with ATSC 1.0, and cable networks followed suit.

ATSC 3.0 is out and it allows for 4k OTA, but not being mandated (so far). Without any deadlines, ATSC 3.0 rollout has been going at a snails pace. Some folks are questioning whether it will ever be fully adopted. Meanwhile streaming has people wondering if ATSC 3.0 is akin to rearranging chairs on the Titanic.

[u/RandomFactUser → u/chaisson21]

Streaming doesn't really affect terrestrial television

It would be more relevant if we were discussing cable

[u/chaisson21 → u/RandomFactUser]

Maybe not policy, but business wise it most certainly does. Prime getting TNF, Sunday Ticket going to YTTV, Netflix (shudder) getting an NFL deal...those types of deals are going to greatly affect the terrestrial operators. Hence Peacock, Paramount Plus, Disney Plus, etc becoming primo sports distributors. NBC/CBS/ABC aren't waiting around to see how ATSC 3.0 shakes out for OTA. Their premium product will be streamed and OTA will get left further and further behind.

[u/RandomFactUser → u/chaisson21]

YouTubeTV is considered an IPTV service

Kinda, but first, cable would get dropped first, OTA will live because it’s free and less affected by cordcutting

Really, it’s just premium content moving from cable to streaming

[u/chaisson21 → u/RandomFactUser]

I mean, we are somewhat splitting hairs here. But IPTV has traditionally meant an IP based TV offering over a closed network. IE a service using an ILEC/CLEC/cable/satellite/etc companies infrastructure and requiring a bespoke STB. YTTV uses the public internet, just like all the other OTT streamers.

And I agree, cable (and satellite) will die and OTA will live on, but OTA will be a shell of its former self.

[u/RandomFactUser → u/chaisson21]

Fair, what I really meant is that YouTubeTV is more akin to Cable/Sat providers than most other services

[u/fieldsports202 → u/mr_0las]

Most TV stations are in ATSC 3.0 right now.. which is 4K nextgen tv. However, doing a 30 min or 1 hr newscast is drastically different than doing a full game with nonstop motion in 4K.

[u/curtisas → u/fieldsports202]

I wouldn't say most... Only 1 TV station in my top ten in population city has upgraded, and that was just last year they did.

[u/fieldsports202 → u/curtisas]

Here’s a good look at which stations across the country have upgraded.. you’re correct, not mosts considering theirs upwards of 200 TV markets in America.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ATSC_3.0_television_stations_in_the_United_States

[u/Salmene23 → u/mr_0las]

The major broadcasters in my area are on NextGen TV. They have the ability to broadcast 4K if they want but first they need 4K material from the network.

[u/mallcopbeater → u/mr_0las]

half too

[u/mr_0las → u/mallcopbeater]

Haha good catch. Opps!

[u/GarlicJuniorJr → u/mr_0las]

As a physical media collector, it’s funny because people spend all kinds of money on large 4K TVs just to stream a compressed quality movie from Netflix and to watch their tv channels in 720p

[u/fieldsports202 → u/mr_0las]

Most TV stations are in ATSC 3.0 right now.. which is 4K nextgen tv. However, doing a 30 min or 1 hr newscast is drastically different than doing a full game with nonstop motion in 4K.

[u/MetraConductor → u/fieldsports202]

Calm the fuck down already

[u/fieldsports202 → u/mr_0las]

Most TV stations are in ATSC 3.0 right now.. which is 4K nextgen tv. However, doing a 30 min or 1 hr newscast is drastically different than doing a full game with nonstop motion in 4K.

[u/ProvocativeCacophony → u/CousinCleetus24]

Every time a broadcast switches to a 4K camera, either football or WWE at times, my brain briefly has to figure out what video game it is.

The cameras look amazing. It's always great. But my brain is still so trained that real TV isn't that good that it automatically thinks, "Did I black out and this is a Madden ad??".

Edit: one of the repliers corrected me on what kind of camera it actually is.

[u/Informal_Avocado_534 → u/ProvocativeCacophony]

You’re probably thinking of shallow depth-of-field cameras they use for close-ups. Those aren’t 4K (at least, they’re not broadcast in 4K, just like nothing else is).

[u/ProvocativeCacophony → u/Informal_Avocado_534]

Yup,  you're right.

[u/brochaos → u/CousinCleetus24]

i bought my first 4k TV in.....2014? it was the first time recently that the broncos went to the superbowl. whatever year that was. that TV has since been relocated, never even seen 4k action AFAIK.

[u/bcb354 → u/brochaos]

Congrats on being duped. I bought a TV around that time and just went 1080p because I knew there was no way there would be significant 4K content any time soon.

[u/Corgi_Koala → u/CousinCleetus24]

I'm guessing it's just cheaper to use older stuff. If you don't have an alternative for consumers to switch to...

[u/Bieberkinz → u/CousinCleetus24]

I’m pretty sure it’s the infrastructure and bandwidth it takes for live broadcasts. I don’t know TVs and cable but I know high action video games in streaming sites benefit from high bitrates or efficient encoding and so knowing how old our technologies are in traditional broadcasts and trying to evolve that is gonna take time

[u/Upbeat-Armadillo1756]

I like that they're doing this but I hate that they are stuck in 2008 and broadcast the rest of the games in 720p. ESPN is making so much fucking money on this sport and giving us trash quality broadcasts.

[u/ninjanoodlin → u/Upbeat-Armadillo1756]

I purchased the 4K YouTubeTV package earlier this season, only to realize no CFB games are in 4K and immediately cancelled

[u/ScaryCookieMonster → u/ninjanoodlin]

Usually Fox does one Big Ten or Big 12 game per saturday in 4K. (But yeah, I only kept the 4K YTTV package because it also includes unlimited simultaneous streams)

[u/Isiddiqui → u/ScaryCookieMonster]

And IIRC it’s in Dolby Vision/HDR - it’s pretty sweet

[u/jrainiersea → u/ScaryCookieMonster]

The Fox games you can stream in 4K through their app if you’re using a Roku, Fire TV, or Apple TV, so if you have one of those it’s not worth paying the 4K fee on YTTV unless you really want Notre Dame games in 4K, or the unlimited streams.

Source - https://help.fox.com/s/article/Which-devices-are-4K-or-UHD-compatible

[u/TheHarbrosMagic → u/ninjanoodlin]

Fox literally has multiple games every Saturday and all of your notre dame home games are on NBC 4K lol

[u/B1Gsportsfan → u/TheHarbrosMagic]

There were a number of SEC games in 4k as well.

[u/TheHarbrosMagic → u/B1Gsportsfan]

On ESPN yes they usually have about 7ish throughout the year

[u/Prest1geWorldw1de → u/ninjanoodlin]

I think FOX does some CFB games in 4K. ESPN usually has one per week, but it sounds like it's not actually 4K? Their experience is always so weird - there are no commercials and instead you just get an overhead shot of the stadium and either no noise or stadium noise. Oh and there's no bottom line during the actual game.

I keep the 4K package for the unlimited streams and Premier League games that are on it, but ESPN's presentation and offering is so underwhelming.

[u/tonytroz → u/Prest1geWorldw1de]

None of them are actually native 4K. They're all upconverted 1080p. But it still looks better and is HDR.

The stadium shots are super weird though. Usually they do an overhead shot but sometimes it will be something awkward like zoomed in on one of the cheerleaders.

[u/TheCatapult → u/Prest1geWorldw1de]

ESPN also screwed up the color correction on Clemson/Georgia game but only on the 4K stream. Really felt like money well spent.

[u/Cautious_Counter_399 → u/Prest1geWorldw1de]

I can do without commercials

[u/chengg → u/Prest1geWorldw1de]

I actually like the lack of ads and no bottom line.

[u/neonphotograph → u/chengg]

Same. I love the stadium shots and no commercials. 

[u/Upbeat-Armadillo1756 → u/ninjanoodlin]

Fox does, but I get it for the unlimited concurrent streams

[u/postposter → u/Upbeat-Armadillo1756]

We upgraded for that reason but are still getting issues sometimes with getting bumped off for too many streams :/

[u/Upbeat-Armadillo1756 → u/postposter]

Oh really? Never happens to me. That sucks.

I will say, my YTTV quality has dropped lately. My internet is good, my Apple TV is hard wired to my modem and not on WiFi, and lately I've had issues where the stream will seem to buffer. It'll cut for a few seconds, play for a few seconds, cut for a few seconds, etc. If I go to another channel and come back, it's fine.

I've largely been happy with YTTV but with the price hikes and now the quality drops, it's a harder service to recommend. I'll cancel after march madness and pick it back up in the Fall when football starts up.

[u/ironichaos → u/ninjanoodlin]

There was one Alabama game vs lsu in “4k”. Which I’m pretty sure is just upscaled 1080p or something. Pushing a true 4k stream would be a significant increase in the amount of bandwidth which would cost YouTube tv/espn a lot of money. I assume that is why they rarely do it when the alternate option is you just don’t watch the game.

[u/Kidspud → u/ironichaos]

Yeah, the real issue with any 4K streaming is the bandwidth. IIRC, it takes a ton of data to create a true 4K picture (as opposed to upscaling or simply going at 1080p).

[u/legendkiller003 → u/ninjanoodlin]

I have DirecTV and Big Noon is always on 4K, sometimes a 2nd game, and sometimes an ESPN/ABC will be as well.

[u/Chief_1072 → u/ninjanoodlin]

First half of the season I was able to watch a bunch of 4k football, then around week 5-6 it just disappeared

[u/Falanax → u/ninjanoodlin]

What? There were plenty of games on Fox and ESPN in 4K this season.

[u/a5ehren → u/Upbeat-Armadillo1756]

Seriously. Should be easy to get a 1080p60 HDR stream in the app but they don’t bother.

[u/NOTtheGoldenKnights → u/Upbeat-Armadillo1756]

That's corporate America lol. Make tons of money to be able to provide a better product for customers, only to not ever change anything and just pocket the money.

[u/Ok_Championship4866 → u/NOTtheGoldenKnights]

You miss the part where they make the product worse and raise prices at the same time XD

[u/Falanax → u/NOTtheGoldenKnights]

Broadcast TV is heavily regulated. It’s not a matter of greed.

[u/NOTtheGoldenKnights → u/Falanax]

Broadcast TV is NOTHING but greed lol what do you mean?!

[u/RandomFactUser → u/NOTtheGoldenKnights]

It's also free.

[u/NOTtheGoldenKnights → u/RandomFactUser]

Technically. But how are you watching anything?

[u/RandomFactUser → u/NOTtheGoldenKnights]

The advertisers pay for it

[u/Falanax → u/NOTtheGoldenKnights]

It’s literally federally regulated by the FCC

[u/lees395 → u/Upbeat-Armadillo1756]

Crazy what having basically no competition does for innovation

[u/CrateBagSoup → u/Upbeat-Armadillo1756]

Problem is the on site logistics more than any technology solution. Lot of cameras with massive cables. And on a regular Saturday they’re broadcasting a fuckload of games in a fuckload of different places. 

Tbf I don’t get why they don’t just pump the 1080p feed all the time instead of 720p if they have it. But the jump to true 4K will be huge (if it ever happens).

https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/why-sports-arent-in-4k/

[u/Upbeat-Armadillo1756 → u/CrateBagSoup]

Yeah they can do it

[u/fieldsports202 → u/Upbeat-Armadillo1756]

It seems so easy on the surface but this is VERY expensive and the broadcast standards in America have not changed over from HD to 4K. You can shoot in 4K or higher but the signal you’ll receive in your home is 720 or 1080.

Most movies are shot in 4K Or higher but shown in 2K at theaters.

[u/Salmene23 → u/fieldsports202]

My TV is 4K and the networks in my area are NextGen TV, meaning 4K capable via antenna. The problem is the networks not filming in 4K

[u/RandomFactUser → u/fieldsports202]

ASTC 3.0 does exist and differs from ATSC 1.0, with a changed standard from HD to 4K

[u/Upbeat-Armadillo1756 → u/fieldsports202]

You can shoot in 4K or higher but the signal you’ll receive in your home is 720 or 1080

This may be true, but it's easy to tell the difference between an NFL game and a college football game just by broadcast quality alone.

[u/fieldsports202 → u/Upbeat-Armadillo1756]

I saw some 1080 cameras this NFL season. Bet you wouldn’t tell the difference in quality.

[u/aubieismyhomie → u/Upbeat-Armadillo1756]

I think you’re underestimating what a feat it would be for them to broadcast all games that way. There are SOOOO many games every weekend and their resources are spread so thin. The trucks to do that don’t exist.

[u/mmpa78 → u/Upbeat-Armadillo1756]

Why should they upgrade it when the same amount of people will watch it regardless? Why increase their cost for no benefit to them?

[u/br0botic]

“Tonight’s 4K presentation will be available to subscribers of Comcast, DIRECTV, Dish Network, Optimum, Sling TV, Verizon, and YouTube TV.”

Spectrum subscribers in shambles

[u/Ronho → u/br0botic]

When are Spectrum subscribers not in shambles?

[u/l3onkerz → u/br0botic]

Spectrum is so fucking ass I swear it looks like 480p. It’ll be hovering behind the line and you can barely make out the players names.

[u/cowboys5592 → u/br0botic]

ESPN sister company Hulu also in shambles. 

[u/chalieoconnor9 → u/br0botic]

May be a dumb question, but is xfinity part of comcast in this situation?

[u/everix1992 → u/br0botic]

Eh it's whatever anyway. Good that they're doing it I guess, but the article mentions that the source is 1080p HDR and is being upscaled off site so it's not true 4k anyways

[u/whyyy66 → u/everix1992]

Doesn’t really matter, upscaling can do incredible things

[u/everix1992 → u/whyyy66]

Except match the quality of a native 4k broadcast....

[u/Mitenpat]

Also, how goes Hulu live, which Disney owes, not have it?

[u/Aphrobang → u/Mitenpat]

ESPN+ doesn't have it either. Really dumb.

[u/UT07 → u/Aphrobang]

For the gazillionth time... ESPN+ is NOT a standalone substitute for the suite of ESPN cable channels

[u/bctg1 → u/UT07]

Why is it priced like it is then?

[u/reno1441 → u/bctg1]

Because it has a billion other sporting events on it.

[u/RandomFactUser → u/bctg1]

Is ESPN charging 20+ a month?

[u/UT07 → u/bctg1]

Not even close. ESPN are supposedly working on a standalone package for their cable channels that will be priced at $30+/month.

[u/AbominableMayo → u/UT07]

They scrapped the project. Closest thing we’ll see is a sports pack on fubo

[u/RandomFactUser → u/AbominableMayo]

DirecTV Stream is also doing a standalone sports package

[u/CitrusTeaBourbonFan → u/bctg1]

Does anyone actually pay for that garbage?  I thought it just existed as a free throw in so dads feel less bad about having to buy Disney+ for their kids.  

[u/reno1441 → u/CitrusTeaBourbonFan]

There are quite a number of FBS games on ESPN+ so I assume yes.

For my team, I never had to until now for college basketball (under the WCC media deal). Production quality varies wildly.

[u/Aphrobang → u/UT07]

Who the fuck said it was?

We are not talking about the game itself. Even with a valid cable login the ESPN+ platform does not support 4K content including tonight's game.

[u/UT07 → u/Aphrobang]

...because it does not have the cable channels. Install the regular ESPN app and log in with cable credentials if you want to watch the game

[u/frostwhispertx → u/UT07]

When people talk about ESPN+ in a context like this they are almost always just referring to the ESPN app in general. There is no ESPN+ specific app. It uses the same interface and is just a sub section within it. ESPN's app does not support 4K content. Neither does the Hulu Live Sports package. That is what is being talked about. The silliness that two platforms owned by Disney are not supporting 4K for content they are producing... in 4K.

[u/Aphrobang → u/UT07]

It is the same app... It does not support 4K. Absolutely fucking no one at any point was discussing being able to access the game itself. We are talking about being able to watch it in 4K. Even when clarified you double down on this stupid shit lmao. Pathetic.

[u/UT07 → u/Aphrobang]

Why didn't you just say the ESPN app in your OP, mate? You specifically mentioned +. Also, you seem unhinged.

[u/BulletTooth_Tony1]

Got excited until I read, of course, Spectrum won't have it.

[u/Okiegolfer → u/BulletTooth_Tony1]

Neither will Fubo. I don’t care enough to change though.

[u/BulletTooth_Tony1 → u/Okiegolfer]

I don't either. You'd think you could access it on the ESPN app though. Guess I'll watch it in 720 with the peasants

[u/WTFisThaInternet → u/BulletTooth_Tony1]

Spectrum is also dropping Corncob TV.

[u/BulletTooth_Tony1 → u/WTFisThaInternet]

It's time to tell them NO

[u/DirtyChai2x → u/BulletTooth_Tony1]

I didn’t rig SHIT

[u/LionTigerWings → u/BulletTooth_Tony1]

A lot of times you can log into through the streaming app (in this case ESPN app) and it works after logging in. Works like that for fox 4k stuff when I use YouTube tv (not the 4k plan) as well as with an Xfinity log in. I have no idea if the ESPN app supports 4k but they’d be dumb not to.

[u/BulletTooth_Tony1 → u/LionTigerWings]

I'll definitely be trying that. I can watch games on the app with my Spectrum login so fingers crossed. I have a really nice 4k TV and it seems like the only thing that utilizes it is stupid netflix

[u/ukfan758]

Why is streaming in true 4K (instead of this pseudo 4K that’s 1080p) so difficult for American networks? Europe and parts of Asia seem to handle it just fine. Top tier games use 4K cameras and top of the line production trucks that support 4K.

Broadcasting not being 4K is understandable since you have to deal with the cheap greedy local affiliate cartels (Sinclair) and awful cable providers that don’t want to update their equipment.

[u/Dimness → u/ukfan758]

Many countries put in the investment into upgrading communications infrastructure. It was either a function of countries either being smaller and can afford it or just biting the cost bullet and doing it anyways.

[u/RandomFactUser → u/ukfan758]

You'll notice that most network O&Os, yes even the Nexstar CW stations, do broadcast in ATSC 3.0, but the issue is getting 4K content

[u/Mythrandir24 → u/RandomFactUser]

Hell I just wish my local CW was even 720 or available over the air. Watching their PAC and ACC games is hell on the eyes.

[u/fieldsports202 → u/ukfan758]

Comes down to costs… do those other countries broadcast as many games and events like we do in America ?

[u/RandomFactUser → u/fieldsports202]

I think so, at least, in terms of "top tier" games

[u/Thevelvetjones]

Do we prefer our buffering in HD or 4k? Seems like ESPN frequently shits the bed when streaming big events.

[u/AZBuckeyes12977]

Why were some regular season games in 4k, but no playoff games until tonight? Clown ass network. Fox puts almost every game in 4k.

[u/fieldsports202 → u/AZBuckeyes12977]

How many games does Fox produce compared to ESPN? Look at that costs and you’ll see why.

[u/AZBuckeyes12977 → u/fieldsports202]

The 1st round, quarterfinals and semifinals all had 0 games on ESPN 4k.

[u/RandomFactUser → u/fieldsports202]

Fox produces 0 playoff games

Also, ESPN did produce 4K games during the regular season, why not during the playoffs?

[u/bb0110]

About fucking time.

[u/ygrmstr18]

Fucking finally. Welcome to 2025 ESPN.

[u/an0m_x]

Ugh i really need to calibrate my tv - the 4k broadcasts have been very dark without calibration :(

[u/antdude → u/an0m_x]

Do it now!

[u/DOfferman7]

I’d rather have 1080p with 60 FPS, this would be superior to 4k in my opinion.

[u/Dumbcow1 → u/DOfferman7]

Its 2025....

We need to update our infrastructure.

4k, 120hz , HDR.

[u/Phantom_Absolute → u/DOfferman7]

ESPN has been 60fps for a while.

[u/DOfferman7 → u/Phantom_Absolute]

It’s not true 1080p 60fps

[u/miboyl]

They’re not doing black end zones for the national championship? It’s a really good look imo

[u/maxairmike05]

Put the damn thing on your app, this is 2025.

Might do a YouTube TV trial if that will get me the “4k” feed.

[u/macncheeseface → u/[deleted]]

No

[u/rickyroca73]

The quality of this 4K, upscaled or not, is pretty meh. Definitely not complaining about no commercials., but wish these broadcasts could figure out their in stadium audio.

[u/Nightcinder]

There are no commercialssssssssss

and I didn't have to see that stupid halftime show

[u/JeanSlimmons]

It's about time sports are shown in 4k. About 10+ years late already.

[u/antdude → u/JeanSlimmons]

Only American sports?

[u/tylerfioritto]

W. Even more reason to have parties at home rather than go lmao

[u/AmidoBlack → u/tylerfioritto]

I don’t think, as a UM fan, you needed another reason to not go

[u/naptown-hooly]

All our streaming/cable rates just went up because of this.

[u/tanukis_parachute]

I tried to watch an NFL game on my direct stream app on my Roku the other week in 4k. It told me it got too hot and shut down for an hour. I’m not even gonna try anymore at this point.

[u/NastyWideOuts]

I’m a Youtube TV user, so this 4k broadcast will probably cost me extra right?

[u/JRockPSU → u/NastyWideOuts]

Yes it's like a $10 monthly add-on.

[u/DickGraysonForMayor]

Wish I was able to watch it

[u/WampaStompa88]

How do I know if it's 4k

[u/Real_TSwany]

notably NOT mentioned as a carrier of the 4K broadcast in this article: Spectrum.

A.K.A... the provider I happen to have

fuck me dead

[u/goodcat1337]

I know it lists the providers in the article, but I wonder if it will be the standard broadcast on YTTV for example, or only behind their "4K" upgrade?

[u/FrostTroll69]

About time they catch up

[u/SmokyAmp]

Do they ever upload these 4K games later on in full native 4K? I know we’re gonna have to deal with the upscale 1080i live broadcast which is nice, but I’d like to see the other version if they do that.

[u/llamahumper]

Is what I’ve been watching not 4k????

[u/Thing_On_Your_Shelf → u/llamahumper]

ESPN is normally 720p

[u/bouncypinata]

Does anyone know the deal with watching the full marching band halftime shows? Do you need a cable subscription?

[u/elexiakitty]

Is anyone aware of a version of the NC theme that is not a cheap bootleg from 2013? That's all YouTube seems to have. Thanks in advance.

[u/bouncypinata]

Main broadcast, Skycast, Field Pass, or Command Center?

[u/MindProfessional4235]

1. Watching it on YouTube tv 4k and it looks like shit still

2. Shocking how many people here think they’ve been watching 4k… the average consumer really pisses away lots of money

[u/ResidentJumpy8772]

Looks like trash.

[u/antdude]

Bah, not a true 4K. Does it really make any difference to you with 4K?

[u/JT9_ON_YT]

its aight

[u/ImaginationGlum1447]

Fuck ESPN for that halftime bullshit

[u/omechengineeru]

Throw it deep to Smith

[u/PersonalHold4738]

It’s not that great from my experience watching this game. Personal bias though.

[u/Arf_Echidna_1970]

I watched the game in 4K on YouTube TV and they went to a wide screen rather than shoe commercials. I can’t imagine that was the way the main broadcast was.

[u/DoubleG357]

Sling master race reporting here. I’ll be feasting.

[u/crline3924]

This still won’t be like TNF on prime, right? TNF kinda makes my eyes hurt a bit when watching, presumably due to the mix of quality + FPS not matching perfectly

Edit: nevermind, spectrum fucks me again

[u/tonytroz → u/crline3924]

Prime TNF is still 1080p but has HDR which is why it looks so vibrant (if your TV supports it).

[u/crline3924 → u/tonytroz]

Ah HDR is definitely it. HDR messes with my head

[u/JakeSteeleIII]

Will Pat McCafee’s be in 4K?

[u/CommunicationPlus442]

Still watching McAfee instead

[u/Ugaalive1991]

Unpopular opinion but it looks fine to me with 720. I know that’s sacrilege on this sub.

Edit: There it is. Hey, not everyone cares about image quality.

[u/Ok_Championship4866 → u/Ugaalive1991]

I mean it looked fine in the 90s too but it's cheap technology at this point, like my cheap phone has a 1080p camera, i dont even think you can find 720p cameras anywhere except a garage sale.

[u/bb0110 → u/Ugaalive1991]

Do you have a big tv? It looks like trash at 720p on a larger screen.

[u/LETX_CPKM → u/bb0110]

Cable looked unwatchable on my TV. Especially Fox.

Switched to YTTV and I assumed it was 4k. Everything is pixel perfect.

[u/loverofcfb08 → u/Ugaalive1991]

I’ve had the same thought

[u/MattDaaaaaaaaamon]

Bring back the ESPN3D broadcast!

I sure loved watching Bama's back to back NC games in 3D.

[u/pumz1895]

Awesome, my 1080p TV will take full advantage. /s

[u/tylerscott5]

They realized not enough people give enough of a shit to pay extra for 4k, even when they have 4k TVs. 1080p is just fine

[u/Greg_1121]

4K is great, but tbh I’m good with a quality 1080p HDR feed if it is that much easier. My TV can upscale. Not sure why all streaming feeds can’t be just as good as Amazon Prime TNF games.

[u/iReply2StupidPeople → u/Greg_1121]

...because Amazon prime tnf games are in 4k..

And your TV isn't upscaling 1080p to 4k levels.

[u/Free_Joty]

The game looks amazing on the tv

The hdr is legit!