UEFA ‘choose not to capture TWO upcoming major finals in 4K’… as governing body adopts cost-saving measure with broadcasters ‘giving up’ on the ultra-high definition format

UEFA have reportedly elected not to capture to upcoming major football finals in 4K UHD.

Football has been captured in 4K for more than a decade, with Sky broadcasting the first live Premier League clash to be filmed in the format back in 2013.

BT Sport also proved a trailblazer in ultra high-definition broadcasting in the UK, launching the first dedicated 4K channel, BT Sport Ultra HD, in 2015.

Since 2015, UEFA has filmed each year’s men’s Champions League final in 4K, with coverage of the European Championships following suit the year after.

However, the governing body for football across the continent is said to have elected not to continue with the practice, with this year’s Champions League final and upcoming EURO 2024 set to be filmed in 1080p HD HDR.

Both the upcoming Champions League final and EURO 2024 will no be captured in 4K

According to a report from the International Broadcasting Convention, the decision is due to a lack of interest from broadcasters and rights holders of the respective competitions.

The report claims that viewers are largely unwilling to foot the bill for the premium that comes with the higher-resolution broadcasts.

EMG/Gravity Media chief Eamonn Curtin told the IBC that UEFA’s decision reflects a larger trend across sports broadcasting.

‘There’s been a change in delivery format for a lot of major international tournaments and also domestic tournaments where broadcasters are now looking at 1080p HDR as the chosen one.’ He said.

‘It’s a benefit for us technically since we just have one signal to produce and manage rather than the four that made up the UHD signal.’