BT Sport and Samsung achieves first UK 8K live sports broadcast

A screening of the UEFA Europa League match between Arsenal and Olympiacos last night was successfully delivered in 8K by BT Sport and Samsung.

The two firm’s made history with the UK’s first public 8K sports broadcast, which was delivered live from Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium using a bespoke BT Sport 8K outside broadcast set-up, deliver to Samsung QLED 8K TVs.

The showcase builds on BT and Samsung’s relationship, with the companies combining expertise and technology to create entertainment experiences that are at the cutting edge of innovation.

BT Sport operated from its TV studios, which it claims is one of the “industry’s most sophisticated”, where in recent years it has delivered world-firsts around virtual reality (VR), Dolby Atmos sound, 4K UHD picture quality and remote production.

BT Sport chief operating officer Jamie Hindhaugh said: “BT Sport has a rich history of leading the industry with broadcast innovation to provide our customers with the best viewing experience in the UK.

“Whether it’s last season’s launch of the world’s first regular high dynamic range service, BT Sport Ultimate, or, our world-leading remote production activity we’re constantly working to provide the best possible experience.

“Today’s broadcast in partnership with Samsung continues BT’s mission to take our viewers to the heart of sport and serve them the ultimate viewing experience.”

Last year the telecoms giant launched BT Sport Ultimate, the world’s first service to feature regular programming in High Dynamic Range (HDR), as well as 4K UHD and Dolby Atmos.

• Read more: BT Sport offers “Ultimate” HDR experience for Premier League coverage

Today’s broadcast over IP enhances the potential of BT Sport Ultimate, a service which provides viewers with the best viewing experience possible on the platforms and devices they use to watch on, according to BT.

Samsung showcased the match on its flagship QLED 8K TV, offering viewers “a glimpse into the future of entertainment technology” and provided “an unprecedented viewing experience”.

With resolution that is four times that of 4K, with a total of 33 million pixels supported by HDR10+, the Samsung QLED 8K TV offers “picture perfection that makes viewers feel as though they are really part of the action”, Samsung said.

Samsung UK director of TV and AV Dan Hastings added: “For 50 years Samsung has pioneered the TV category; from the launch of the World’s first Digital Colour TV in 1998, the world’s thinnest TV in 2002, the first double-sided LCD screen in 2006 and then one of our biggest advancements to date; the first company to bring 8K TVs to the UK in 2018.

• Read more: Samsung and 8K Association launch TV certification scheme

“We have shown that we never rest when it comes to pursuing meaningful innovations that could supercharge the way people consume content. It is great that we can add showing the first 8K broadcast to that list with BT Sport in 2020.”