World Cup 2018: BBC iPlayer to stream matches in 4K HDR

The BBC is to stream dozens of World Cup matches live in 4K resolution and high dynamic range colour (HDR) to UK-based audiences in June and July.

Leo Kelion, Technology Desk Editor at bbc.com, wrote on the site May 31 that this will mark the first time iPlayer has covered one of the major sporting events in such quality.

However, it will limit the number of screens with access, and will do so on a first-come first-served basis. The BBC also plans a separate virtual reality experience.

The term 4K refers to the fact that an image contains four times as many pixels as a 1080p high definition picture. This can reveal details that would otherwise be obscure.

The bigger the screen and/or the closer its audience is, the more obvious the enhancement provided. Many people, however, have found that it is HDR that provides the biggest “wow factor”.

The technology takes advantage of the fact modern TVs can go brighter and/or darker than they used to, providing a greater dynamic range.

As a result, the shadows of an image can be made less murky while the highlights — including glints of light reflected off metal or water — can be given more impact.

HDR is also accompanied by the adoption of a wider colour space, meaning millions more colours can be displayed than had been the case before.

BT began screening live sport in 4K in 2015, and Sky followed a year later, but neither do so in HDR. The BBC is able to, thanks to the development of a new type of HDR called hybrid-log gamma (HLG), which has been created in conjunction with the Japanese broadcaster NHK.

As an added benefit, footage will be played at 50 frames per second rather than the normal 25fps. All 29 of BBC One’s World Cup matches are scheduled to be made available in 4K and HDR.

But each will be limited to “tens of thousands of people” – the exact number of iPlayer-equipped devices has not been specified in advance.

To gain access, viewers must be among the first to click on the relevant home screen button just after each stream starts.

To enjoy the optimum experience, the BBC says audiences will need a 40 megabit per second (Mbit/s) internet connection — which is faster than that to which most households have access.

Those with slower download speeds may find they are provided a lower-resolution image.

BBC engineers first trialled the tech involved in public in April, when they streamed a rugby league match between York City Knights and Catalans Dragons. More recently, they streamed the second half of the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester United.

However, neither event was publicised in advance, so attracted a much smaller audience than the forthcoming competition in Russia should deliver.

In addition, the BBC plans to offer live virtual reality views of 33 games via a dedicated app, that will take account of the viewers’ head movements.

It will be made available closer to the time on iOS and Android devices, as well as the Gear VR, Oculus Go and PlayStation VR headsets.

It will allow users to switch location to get the view from a “luxury private box” on high or from behind either of the two goals.