Does YouTube TV Offer NBA TV Games In 4K?

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

TV Answer Man, do you know if YouTube TV has any NBA TV games in 4K? I read on a message forum online that some NBA TV games are in 4K. Is that right? – Jamal, Sacramento, California.

Jamal, NBA TV, the league’s official channel, which offers live games and studio shows, does provide select games in upscaled 4K. But are they available on YouTube TV, you ask?

Answer: Yes! In fact, the next game in 4K on YouTube TV will be Monday’s (January 20) noon ET clash between the Dallas Mavericks and Charlotte Hornets. Then, on January 24 at 8 p.m. ET, the live streamer will offer NBA TV’s 4K broadcast of the New Orleans Pelicans-Memphis Grizzlies game.

How to Watch NBA TV In 4K On YouTube TV

To watch 4K programming on YouTube TV, including live sports, you will need to subscribe to the $9.99 a month 4K add-on plan. (This 4K plan is added to your base YouTube TV subscription, which costs $82.99 a month.) That will make your monthly YouTube TV bill nearly $100 a month when you include taxes. But if you’re a 4K enthusiast, it might be worth it to you. YouTube TV also has 4K sports from NBC, ESPN and Fox as well as select TV shows such as Yellowstone in the format.

What Does NBA TV’s Upscaled 4K Look Like?

NBA TV’s 4K broadcasts are upscaled from 1080p. Upscaling is the process when one video format is converted to another. In this case, the 1080p HDR signal is converted to a 4K format. Upscaling 4K is not considered as good as native 4K, which uses 4K cameras on site and is then transmitted to the home in 4K. But an upscaled 4K image removes the blurriness and adds a realistic feel to the picture.

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The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered television 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.