By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –Follow me on X.
TV Answer Man, it’s hard to find live sports on 4K and know where to look for it. Can you let me know which channels have the best 4K and where you can find them? — Clark, Knoxville, Tennessee.
Clark, I feel your pain. Although scores of millions of Americans now own 4K TVs, the number of live sporting events available in 4K is relatively small in comparison. But here is my list for the best channels to watch sports in 4K and where you can watch them.
1. Fox
The Murdoch-run network remains the champion of live sports in 4K with a diverse collection of events in the format, including college football and basketball, NASCAR, MLB playoffs and World Series, NFL playoff games and even the annual Westminster Dog Show (coming next month). Even better, the 4K broadcasts are available on the Fox Sports app (with pay TV user name and password) and several pay TV providers including DIRECTV, DIRECTV Stream, Comcast, Dish, YouTube TV, Fubo, Optimum, Verizon and others.
2. ESPN
The sports network may not be doing native 4K anymore (what a pity) but its upscaled 4K broadcasts of college football and basketball games are still first rate. (And let’s not forget that Fox are doing upscaled 4K, too.) We continue to hold out hope that ESPN will eventually do pro sports in the format. If it does, it will be number one in the 4K biz.
3. NBC Sports
NBC Sports offers Notre Dame football, Premier League Soccer games and select golf tournaments in 4K. Unfortunately, the 4K feeds are only available on a few pay TV services, including DIRECTV, DIRECTV Stream and YouTube TV.
4. NESN
The New England-based regional sports network offers both Boston Bruins and Boston Red Sox home games in native 4K. While relatively few can see them due to regional restrictions, fans rave about the picture. Unfortunately, the availability is sparse; you have to get the NESN 360 app for $29.99 a month 0r watch the channel on DIRECTV and DIRECTV. And in both cases, the 4K feed is only available in the Boston market with the exception that DIRECTV’s MLB Extra Innings subs can watch it.
Have a question about new TV technologies? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com Please include your first name and hometown in your message.
The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered the TV technology scene for more than three decades. He will report on the latest news and answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.
