DIRECTV to launch first 4K HDR live broadcasts in U.S.

AT&T DIRECTV to Launch First 4K High Dynamic Range (HDR) Live Broadcasts in U.S. With Full Slate of Sports, Music and Events

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Imagine the reflection of freshly groomed ice as your favorite hockey players skate out for the first time. Now imagine the bright lights of the basketball arena as they light up the court like a Broadway stage. And think of the glistening sweat of your favorite musician as they perform in front of thousands of fans…

Imagination becomes reality from the comfort of your couch as AT&T DIRECTV becomes the first U.S. pay-TV provider to broadcast LIVE in 4K HDR with a full slate of sports, music and events.

The Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Vegas Golden Knights airing Dec. 14 at 10 p.m. ET will be the first event to air live in stunning 4K HDR, via a simulcast of NHL Network.

AT&T DIRECTV will also broadcast 13 NBA games in 4K HDR this season. Last season, AT&T and NBA TV, jointly managed by the NBA and Turner Sports, provided fans in the U.S. with the opportunity to watch a live NBA game in 4K Ultra HD (UHD) for the first time, when DIRECTV distributed NBA TV’s telecast of the Denver Nuggets vs. the Utah Jazz game on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016. The NBA was the first U.S. professional sports league to capture a game in 4K in January 2015, when the New York Knicks played the Milwaukee Bucks during NBA Global Games London.

The slate of live 4K HDR(1) will feature:

• The Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Vegas Golden Knights(2) on Dec. 14 at 10 p.m. ET simulcast of NHL Network.
• The Brian Setzer Orchestra’s 14th annual “Christmas Rocks!” concert Live from the Granada Theatre in Santa Barbara, Calif. on Monday, Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. PT simulcast of AXS TV.
• The Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Milwaukee Bucks on Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. from NBA TV(3)
• Women’s college basketball University of Connecticut vs. Duquesne on Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. ET simulcasts of SNY.
• The Toronto Raptors vs. Oklahoma City Thunder on Dec. 27 at 8 p.m. ET from NBA TV.
• The annual Rose Parade. Live from Los Angeles on Jan. 1 at 11:00 am ET simulcasts of HGTV.
• Plus more of the best NBA TV games throughout the regular season!

4K offers 4x as many pixels as High Definition (HD). The new live 4K HDR broadcasts will combine technologies that enhance a variety of elements of picture quality.

What does HDR look like?

HDR adds better contrast. And wide color gamut (WCG) makes the colors on your TV more closely match what you see in real life. The 10 bit color depth shows a smoother gradation in color. For example, the gradients of a sunset will appear smooth rather than banded. And at 60 frames a second, motion will be more fluid. You’ll see greater clarity with every play in a game.

AT&T offered the first-ever live 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) broadcast in the United States in 2016 at The Masters and continues to lead in live events and sports and has aired more than 700 hours of live programming from college football, NBA, MLB, the Olympics and more.

DIRECTV hosts three fully dedicated 4K TV channels (104, 106 and PPV channel 105) with both live and previously recorded documentaries, concerts, series and pay-per-view events.

1. Limited programming available. To watch content in 4K HDR, 4K HDR compatible equipment, minimum programming (SELECT Package or higher), 4K account authorization and professional installation required. NBA games are included for subscribers of NBA TV. NHL are included in our DIRECTV XTRA Package and above base packages. SNY is included in DIRECTV Premier Package and Sports Pack. If 4K TV does not support HDR, games will be viewable in standard 4K. Other conditions apply.

3. NBA games on NBA TV, from NBA TV, the league’s 24-hour television network jointly managed by the NBA and Turner Sports.