While the BBC has been migrating viewers from SD to HD, on the other side of the English Channel, France 2 is preparing to launch a full-time UHD simulcast.
Consumers buying a new 4K UHD TV will find relatively few services to watch in 4K, instead having relying on upscaled HD programmes. Instead, it’s subscription streaming services that are leading the way, offering an ever greater catalogue of UHD programmes.
Standard definition (SD) TV stubbornly lives on in the UK, although satellite and cable platforms have started to shift towards HD-only broadcasts of some channels. Terrestrial (Freeview) remains firmly dominated by SD services, in contrast with many of our neighbours.
Where SD has long gone, broadcasters are starting to turn their attention to 4K UHD, either delivered through traditional TV platforms (satellite, cable and terrestrial) or as live streaming channels (IPTV/OTT).
Plans by French public broadcaster France Télévisions are among the most ambitious seen in Europe, with plans to deliver France 2 UHD free-to-air and terrestrially. The service could be ready later this year, well in time for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
What’s the situation with UHD rollout in the UK?
Commercial pay TV operators and streaming companies have led the way with 4K UHD rollout.
It’s nearly eight years since BT launched its 4K UHD sports channel. Sky has in the past 12 months launched dedicated full-time UHD sports channels, starting with Sky Sports Main Event UHD in 2022 and Sky Sports F1 UHD this year.
Among free-to-air broadcasters, the situation is very different with no sign of any regular UHD service, and relatively little on-demand content.
ITV disappointed streamers when it launched ITVX last year without a 4K UHD option. But the BBC does offer UHD programmes on-demand via the iPlayer. Live UHD streaming has been limited to sport and major national events. It’s unlikely the BBC will offer any more UHD at this point, with existing BBC services already fighting for their existence as budgets shrink.
How many people have a UHD TV?
Five years ago, 63% of new TV sets shipped to western European countries supported UHD. By 2020, this had translated to 30% of UK households having a UHD TV screen in their home. This is a trend that continues to grow, with most large screen TVs now including 4K UHD as standard.
How does this compare with European neighbours?
An overview featuring free-to-air UHD rollout from other large & populous European countries. In all countries, pay TV and subscription streaming services already offer a range of 4K UHD content.
France
As indicated above, French public broadcaster France Télévisions is planning to launch a full time version of France 2 in UHD. But in addition, France 3 UHD will launch as a part-time UHD service. It’s regional structure creates barriers to providing a full-time service.
The services could launch as early as this year and will be distributed free-to-air on TNT, the French equivalent of Freeview. Test transmissions have recently started on Fransat (Eutelsat 5B 5°W), which means viewers outside of terrestrial coverage will be able to gain access to the services.
Germany
Among public service broadcasters, the approach is similar to the BBC’s. For example, ZDF offers a range of UHD programmes on-demand via its online ZDF-Mediathek. But there is no sign of any linear UHD channel at any time soon.
Commercial free-to-air broadcasters RTL and ProSiebenSat.1 Media have launched linear UHD channels. But like many of the country’s HD channels, these are encrypted and require a relevant subscription package with a provider such as HD+ or Telekom. Shopping channel operator QVC offers free-to-air UHD channels.
Italy
RAI, Italy’s public broadcaster, launched its 4K service for the 2016 European Football Championships, initially as a part-time service. It’s now on air all the time. The channel initially broadcast on satellite only. However, it’s available as a stream accessed through HbbTV on Italy’s terrestrial television platform.
Poland
Poland’s public broadcaster TVP has offered a temporary UHD channel during special events including the World Cup. The free-to-air channel was distributed on digital terrestrial television.
Spain
RTVE offered viewers a chance to watch coverage of the 2022 World Cup from Qatar in 4K UHD via a free-to-air pop-up channel available in some locations on digital terrestrial television.
The public broadcaster is undertaking further UHD tests, even attempting 8K UHD, as we recently reported.
Throughout Europe, a number of specialist channels are also offering 4K UHD services. These include NASA TV on Hotbird and Insight TV on various satellite and streaming platforms.
Situation in Ireland and smaller countries
In the Republic of Ireland, neither Ireland’s public broadcaster RTÉ, nor TG4 or Virgin Media TV have indicated they will be launching any live or on-demand UHD service for their free-to-air channels.
Other smaller countries have a similar lack in UHD services. But Austria’s ORF made World Cup coverage available in UHD on its streaming service. In Switzerland, SRF delivers a “Full HD UHD” service to TV platform operators, but has delayed UHD rollout on satellite. For Swiss viewers, HD previously meant 720p. The “Full HD UHD” service on certain providers offers the channel in 4K UHD resolution with 1080 Full HD programmes upscaled. You can see a technical scan of one of the channels here. Over in the Netherlands, Dutch public broadcaster NPO offered NPO1 UHD as a temporary pop-up channel to various TV platform operators during the 2022 World Cup.
Marc Thornham