FIFA Fee Up in the Air But No 4K

Despite TVNZ’s pay-per-view ambitions for its FIFA World Cup coverage on TVNZ+, don’t expect subscription sports streaming to become the face of the beefed-up platform.

The broadcaster has yet to reveal how many All Whites matches will air live or what it will charge football fans who want a one-off event pass to be able to stream the competition in its entirety.

But the FIFA strategy isn’t the harbinger of a pay-TV makeover for the upgraded streaming service that’s been five years in the making.

“For now, we believe a one-off events-based model is best for Kiwi viewers and for TVNZ,” a spokesperson says.

As for whether the pay-TV capability of the new-look TVNZ+ will apply to ad-free movies and series, she says there was “nothing to announce in terms of paid entertainment content.”

The Post today quoted TVNZ as saying the FIFA fee “will be in line with other streaming services, and appropriate for the market.

“It is going to be reasonable. We want it to be accessible for New Zealanders.”

The newspaper’s “unscientific straw poll of colleagues and seasoned sport viewers” thought it would be upwards of $55 “and that anything over $100 would make them think twice”.

The tournament will showcase 104 matches across 39 days, with all the All White matches screening free-to-air on TVNZ 1.

“All New Zealand games will be live or delayed on TVNZ 1 (on television and streaming),” the spokesperson says.

“There will also be a selection of other matches free-to-air. The free-to-air schedule will be confirmed closer to the time.”

The improved capabilities of the new TVNZ+ platform, which launches next year, is expected to include 4K streaming.

“We have a long wish list but it’s too early to confirm features and functionality,” the spokesperson says.

However, she confirmed 4K streams aren’t planned for FIFA at this stage. “The video quality on our current platform for sport is already 1080p.”

Even if TVNZ+ was willing to stream the tournament in 4K, it looks like the event will max out in 1080p HDR — despite FIFA offering some of the 2014 Cup in 4K.