September 28: ESPN’s 4K College Football Game of the Week

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –Follow me on X.

TV Answer Man, do you have an update on the college football games in 4K this Saturday from Fox, ESPN and Notre Dame? — Tony, Las Vegas.

Tony, let’s start with ESPN. The sports network will offer an upscaled 4K broadcast of the Georgia at Alabama game at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, September 28. (ABC and ESPN+ will simulcast the game in high-def.)

Both SEC powerhouses are undefeated with 3-0 records. Georgia is second ranked in the nation while Alabama is fourth ranked. The Crimson Tide has a 65 percent chance of winning at home, according to ESPN’s Matchup Predictor.

YouTube TV, Dish, Sling TV, DIRECTV, DIRECTV Stream, Comcast, Optimum and Verizon are expected to offer the game on their ESPN 4K channels. ESPN does not offer 4K programming on its ESPN TV Everywhere app or ESPN+.

The ESPN 4K broadcast will be ‘upscaled’ from 1080p HD.  The upscaled 4K means that the game will be produced in 1080p HD on site and upgraded to 4K for the home transmission. ESPN switched to upscaled 4K more than a year ago after previously doing some games in native 4K.

Fox, which also does upscaled 4K, has not announced its 4K games for this Saturday as of this writing. And Notre Dame? While NBC normally offers Notre Dame home games in 4K, this Saturday’s Louisville at Notre Dame game at 3:30 p.m. ET will not be available in the format because it’s a Peacock exclusive and Peacock is still not doing college football games in 4K.

Update: Fox announces 4K games of the week.

Tony, hope that helps. Happy viewing and stay safe!

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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.