By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –Follow on X.
Former editor of 4 TV magazines. Author of TV Dot Com.
TV Answer Man, I just read that Paramount Plus is showing the Super Bowl in 4K. Do you know if the 4K feed will be available to all Paramount Plus subscribers or just the ones who get the Showtime plan? — Tom, Lincoln, Nebraska.
Tom, nearly a month ago, CBS confirmed it will offer the 2024 Super Bowl in 4K HDR (High Dynamic Range). The game, which will be played Sunday, February 11, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, will mark the first time that the network will offer any NFL game in the format. (Fox did the Super Bowl in 4K in 2020 and 2023.)
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When the network revealed its 4K plans for the big game, I wrote an article here noting that Paramount Plus, the subscription streaming service owned by CBS’ corporate parent, would also show the game. However, I explained then that the Paramount feed would be in 1080p HDR, not 4K. The 4K feeds would be reserved for pay TV operators who will show them on special 4K channels. (To see a list of every TV provider who has confirmed it will show the Super Bowl in 4K, click here.)
Despite my article, and a few others, I continued to receive questions from readers asking whether the game will be in 4K on Paramount Plus. I don’t blame the readers at all because there have been several articles saying the game will be in 4K on Paramount Plus. I don’t know why publications continue to write this, but it’s not true. The game will NOT be in 4K on Paramount Plus. It will be 1080p HDR, which should offer an outstanding image, albeit perhaps not as good as 4K.
Just so everyone understands, it will also not be in 4K on the CBS app, Nickelodeon, or a local channel via an antenna or pay TV service. It will be 4K only on 4K channels carried by pay TV services.
I hope this helps clarify the situation with the game just four days away. I would hate for people to tune in to Paramount Plus on Sunday and be disappointed that the broadcast is not 4K.
Tom, hope that helps. Happy viewing and stay safe!
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.
