DirecTV (NYSE: T) said it will show 25 Major League Baseball games live in 4K this season, starting with Friday's anticipated matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants.
It's the most ambitious 4K/UltraHD programming announcement yet in the U.S., coming off AT&T's one-off 4K presentation of the PGA's Masters Tournament last weekend. AT&T also just launched three 4K channels on its recently acquired 4K platform.
"The 4K UHD experience on DirecTV will bring America's pastime to life like never before in the convenience of the living room," said Dan York, chief content officer for AT&T Entertainment Group, in a statement. "As a leader in sports programming, we're continuing to deliver more live events in 4K UHD and finding new ways to entertain our customers."
The game will leverage the MLB Network feed, which features game callers Bob Costas, Harold Reynolds, Tom Verducci and Sam Ryan.
To watch the games in 4K, DirecTV customers will need an HR54 HD DVR or higher, a subscription to DirecTV's Ultimate or Premier programming tiers, a 4K mini Genie system, and a 4K TV.
The satellite TV operator has launched a 4K network on channel 104 of its program guide, dedicated to "nature documentaries" and original programming from DirecTV's own programming network, Audience.
Channel 105 features a full-time 4K programming, offering pay-per-view movies and short-form documentaries in 4K, which DirecTV notes, do not require a lengthy download. Channel 106 features events in 4K, such as The Masters. AT&T reps didn't confirm that Channel 106 is the place for MLB games, but it seems like the logical choice.
For more:
- read this AT&T press release
Related articles:
CSG branches into 4K with monetization support for Sony's new UltraHD streaming service
Dish brings Netflix 4K content to the Hopper 3, expands on limited UltraHD content options
DirecTV sets launch of three 4K channels
Canada's Rogers to show NHL, Blue Jays games in 4K amid its rollout of 1-Gig services