Howzat! 4K on Sky for The Ashes

Seven years after Foxtel launched 4K-UHD in Australia, Sky NZ at last is delivering the higher resolution here — starting with this weekend’s coverage of The Ashes on Sky Sport 1 and Sky Sport Now.

But anyone who’s bought a new TV in the past 10 years, and can already stream a wealth of content in 4K-UHD when not spinning 4K Blu-ray discs, shouldn’t get too excited about the initiative, for which you need the new Sky Box or Sky Pod.

While TV brands like Samsung are cashing in on the upgrade, with promotions like free Sky Sport Now passes if you buy one of their 4K TVs, consumers shouldn’t think Sky’s on the cusp of unleashing a 4K wave of movies and TV shows.

“We don’t have a timeline on extending into entertainment ,” a Sky spokeswoman says. “The focus at launch is on getting a really good experience established for sport.

“As much as we would love to deliver more 4K content right away, starting to deliver broadcast content in 4K-UHD is a complex technical change that requires significant investment and change in our broadcast operations.

“A 4K-UHD broadcast requires investment right through the delivery chain.

“This includes content creation, which requires a special 4K capable broadcast truck, the set-up of a secondary feed that brings 4K-UHD content from sports stadium right through to Sky, upgrades and increased capacity for the transmission of content to satellite and IP — a 4K channel uses four times as much bandwidth as an HD channel — plus upgrades to the new Sky Box, Sky Pod and Sky Sport Now to allow them to show content in 4K-UHD.”

That’s understandable in terms of broadcasting live sport domestically in 4K.

But it doesn’t explain why subscribers can’t stream HBO Max in 4K on Sky’s new Box — which was launched two years ago with the capacity to stream the likes of Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video in 4K.

Nonetheless, Sky argues it needs time to bed in 4K viewing from its own operational perspective as well as for the “customer experience”.

“In this initial phase, our delivery of 4K-UHD content will primarily be on Sky Sport 1 UHD,” the spokeswoman says.

“We are starting this process with two sports codes – the Ashes and Australian Open and will be progressively bringing on other sports.

“The set-up in a customer’s home also matters. New Sky Box and Sky Pod customers need a 4K-compatible Smart TV to enjoy content in 4K.

“When it comes to Sky Sport Now, which customers can watch over a variety of devices and apps, and can also cast, the set-up is more complex.

“This is why we are initially offering a free [4K] trial on Sky Sport Now, so customers can see if 4K-UHD works for them.

“It’s really important to get the customer experience right – so we are starting with a couple of sports, and also including a free trial on Sky Sport Now.”

As to whether there’s been customer demand for 4K:  “We recently conducted a pulse check with Sky Sport Now customers – nearly half of those surveyed were interested in 4K-UHD.”

Sky also will offer a 4K pop-up channel when there are competing sports events in 4K.

“Announcements around sports to be featured in 2026 are forthcoming. We hope to expand our 4K offering over time.”

In the meantime, Kiwis are left continuing to envy our Aussie cousins. Since launching its 4K service with just two channels in 2018, for sports and movies, Foxtel still may not be the 4K showcase it should be by now, with only four 4K channels for dedicated and on-demand viewing.

But seven months after being bought by global sports streaming giant DAZN in April, at least customers can see “every game live” of the top five of the tier one sports “with no ads, in 4K,” Foxtel CEO last month told The Australian. “No other country in the world has that.”