Q. The MLB Network had one of their ‘MLB Showcase’ games this week, the Nationals and Phillies. But DIRECTV didn’t have the game in 4K. How come? I thought DIRECTV did the ‘Showcase’ games in 4K. — Jim, town withheld.
Jim, you are right. DIRECTV once had an agreement with the MLB Network to offer select broadcasts, called Showcase games, in 4K. In 2017, for example, DIRECTV aired 25 different MLB Network games in the new picture format.
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But it appears that DIRECTV has switched pitchers on us and will instead offer the weekly Saturday afternoon game on Fox Sports 1 in 4K, starting with this Saturday’s 4 p.m. ET matchup between the Texas Rangers and Mike Trout’s Los Angeles Angels.
In future weeks, the satcaster will air the Colorado Rockies-San Francisco Giants game in 4K at 4 p.m. ET on April 13; the San Francisco Giants-Pittsburgh Pirates contest in 4K at 4 p.m. ET on April 20; and the Cleveland Indians-Houston Astros game in 4K at 4 p.m. ET on April 27.
DIRECTV says the Rangers-Angeles game will be on channel 105 while the April 20 and 27 games will be on channel 106. The channel for the Rockies-Giants game will be announced later.
Note: All four games will be simulcast in high-def on Fox Sports 1. And all four games will be in 4K HDR (High Dynamic Range) on DIRECTV. High Dynamic Range can make the 4K picture look more vivid and realistic.
By the way, DIRECTV also plans to air select holes of this month’s Masters Golf tournament in 4K HDR. See our article for further details.
Have a question about new TV technologies? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvpredictions.com. Please include your first name and hometown in your message.
— Phillip Swann
