beIN makes aggressive push for UHD
June 1, 2016
By Chris Forrester
Al Jazeera-backed BeIN Sports is fully backing 4K/UltraHD transmissions of the upcoming UEFA football championships. It has launched a 4K receiver dedicated for its prime MENA region, and distribution will begin this week across the Arab world.
BeIN Sports says it will be the first broadcaster in the region to introduce 4K programming. Rival OSN is also promising 4K transmissions but not until later this year, or even early 2017.
4K TV receivers are widely available in the MENA region, and are growing in popularity. However, users are currently limited to using them for ‘ordinary’ HD upgraded viewing or playing back of Blu-ray HD material.
BeIN says its subscribers will be able to watch the opening match, subsequent quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final in 4K/UHD via a dedicated 4K channel.
Israel Esteban, beIN’s Executive Director of Technology commented: “beIN is the only regional pay TV network that currently broadcasts in true HD 1080p resolution, which is comparable to watching content through Blu-Ray. For beIN it is important to ensure that our customers in MENA are experiencing the best of technology and content.”