Why Does Fox Show Live Sports In Upscaled 4K?

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

TV Answer Man, can you explain to me why Fox does upscaled 4K for the Super Bowl and all their other 4K games? It’s clearly not as good as native 4K so why do they do it?! – Patrick, Evanston, Illinois.

Patrick, Fox yesterday announced that it will offer a free 4K feed of the 2025 Super Bowl on Tubi, its free streaming service, as well as on the Fox Sports app. The 4K broadcast will be upscaled 4K, meaning it will be produced at the Superdome in New Orleans in 1080p HD and then converted to 4K for the home transmission.

Upscaled 4K is not considered as good as native 4K, which requires 4K cameras and other 4K production equipment on site as well as the home transmission. Fox does include HDR (High Dynamic Range) with its upscaled 4K broadcast which can add heightened colors and vividness to the picture. But even an upscaled 4K HDR image is not as realistic as a native 4K picture.

So, why does Fox do upscaled 4K for its live sports broadcasts, particularly for something as big as the Super Bowl?

The Four Top Reasons Why Fox Uses Upscaled 4K

1. Native 4K Is More Expensive
The native 4K broadcast requires a greater investment in production equipment, cameras, personnel and technical infrastructure. It’s simply less expensive to do a regular 1080p production and convert it to 4K. And it’s not just Fox that believes that. NESN, the regional sports network that does the Boston Red Sox and Bruins games, is currently the only network that does native 4K. Everyone else, including ESPN and NBC, uses upscaled 4K.

2. Native 4K Doesn’t Improve Ratings
Over the years, the networks found that a native 4K broadcast doesn’t generate more viewers than an upscaled one. While the native picture is better, it’s not so much better that people won’t watch a 4K broadcast if it’s upscaled. The networks have learned that they can persuade 4K enthusiasts to watch by simply slapping a 4K label on a show or live sporting event. Whether it’s native or upscaled, most fans won’t care that much.

3. Native 4K Doesn’t Help Advertisers
Advertising is a crucial revenue stream for NFL broadcasts, and advertisers expect their content to be showcased effectively. Transitioning to 4K broadcasts requires adapting ad content to the higher resolution, which could be a time-consuming and costly process. Additionally, potential technical glitches during the ad spots’ transmission could undermine the effectiveness of ad campaigns, prompting both CBS and Fox to tread carefully.

4. Native 4K Can Be Technically Tricky
The fast-paced nature of live sports demands seamless real-time broadcasting that can sometimes be a challenge when producing a game in native 4K. It’s an easier production when a HD feed is used on site because you can use it to transmit the high-def signal to homes watching in that format and then upscale it to homes with 4K.

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

Have a question about a favorite show or 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 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.