NBC Olympics to broadcast 4K content

NBC Olympics to broadcast 4K content

   Michelle Clancy
   | 18 June 2016




NBC Olympics’ coverage of the Rio Olympic Games will include the distribution of 4K UltraHD coverage.


olympicsThe telecast will be made available on one-day delay and will include 4K UltraHD footage from the opening and closing ceremonies, swimming, track and field, basketball, the men’s soccer final and judo, as well as Rio scenics. One event from the previous day’s competition will be provided daily from 6 August, the day after the opening ceremony, until 22 August, the day after the Games conclude.

"The Olympics have been a consistent driver of technological advancements, and Rio will be no different," said Gary Zenkel, president, NBC Olympics. "The stunning backdrop of Rio combined with the world-class competition of the Olympics will give the American audience a spectacular early look at this impressive new technology."

NBC Olympics will distribute the 4K UltraHD coverage provided by Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) and Japan’s NHK to US distribution partners, who will individually choose how they will make the content available to their customers.

"Since the London Games, OBS and NHK have been working together, experimenting on the future standard of 8K," said Yiannis Exarchos, OBS CEO.

“Substantial recent technological advancements have allowed us to pursue this opportunity further for the Rio Games and to offer a 4K feed for a number of sports, down-converted from the original 8K, to NBC and other interested rights-holding broadcasters around the globe.