Japan confirms 4K and 8K dates
September 3, 2014
By Chris Forrester
Japan’s government has confirmed its roadmap for the introduction of Ultra-HD in its 4K and 8K versions.
Japan will use its ‘BS’ satellite channels for these debut services and as part of its build up to a widespread introduction ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
The country’s Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry said the government will begin test broadcasting in 2016, when Rio de Janeiro hosts the Summer Olympics, and upgrade it to full-scale broadcasting as soon as possible, according to local reports. In June, Japan launched the world’s first test 4K broadcasts, using communications satellite TV channels of Sky Perfect JSAT Holdings.
By 2018 the roadmap calls for Japan’s public broadcaster to have its own dedicated 4K channel as well as 5 commercial broadcasters to be transmitting a 4K channel.
Japanese public broadcaster NHK’s engineers and technicians will be showcasing g their latest developments at IBC from next week, while the NexTV-Forum and NHK will be screening some of their 4K programming at MIPCOMin October as part of a special focus on 4K.