Updated: Fox to Offer 7 College Basketball Games In 4K In February

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

TV Answer Man, do you have a list of upcoming college basketball games in 4K on Fox and ESPN? – Jamal, Sacramento, California.

Jamal, Fox has already broadcast several college basketball games in upscaled 4K during the 2024-25 season. But the network has seven more scheduled in February 2025, according to the Optimum TV 4K page. (Optimum TV carries 4K channels from Fox, NBC and ESPN.)

The Fox 4K college basketball lineup in February includes some Big East and Big Ten games. Below is the schedule: (Updated: Fox has added three more games. There are now seven in February.)

February 1, 2025
Wisconsin at Northwestern at 2 p.m. ET

February 2, 2025
Seton Hall at DePaul at 6 p.m. ET

February 4, 2025
Georgetown at Xavier at 8:30 p.m. ET

February 6, 2025
Maryland at Ohio State at 6:30 p.m. ET

February 20, 2025
Northwestern at Ohio State at 6:30 p.m. ET

February 22, 2025
Butler at DePaul at 8 p.m. ET

February 25, 2025
Iowa at Illinois at 9 p.m. ET

Fox is also scheduled to broadcast the Big East men’s tournament in 4K in March.

As for ESPN, the sports network usually reveals its ‘4K game of the week’ on the Monday of each week so the only upcoming upscaled 4K game we know about is this Saturday’s matchup between Duke and North Carolina at 6:30 p.m. ET.

What Does Upscaled 4K Look Like?

Fox’s 4K live sports broadcasts are upscaled from 1080p HDR (High Dynamic Range). Upscaling is the process when one video format is converted to another. Fox takes the 1080p HDR signal and converts it to a 4K format. Upscaling 4K is not considered as good as native 4K, but the inclusion of HDR can offer heightened colors and vividness. ESPN also upscaled its 4K broadcasts from a 1080p HD signal.

Is It Worth Watching The Games In Upscaled 4K?

Yes. From personal experience, I can assure you the picture is usually better. The high-def image from a Fox affiliate sometimes lacks detail and makes you wonder if it’s actually in high-def. However, the 4K image removes the blurriness and adds a realistic feel to the picture.

How Can You Watch Fox’s Games In 4K?

Fox’s 4K games can be seen in the format on the Fox Sports app by logging in with your TV Everywhere user name and password from your pay TV provider. (Note that the Fox Now app is no longer available.)

The pay TV services that normally Fox games in 4K on special 4K channels are DIRECTV, Dish, Sling TV, Comcast, Verizon, Optimum, DIRECTV Stream, YouTube TV, and FuboTV. (In FuboTV markets where the Fox affiliate is provided with your programming package.) Check your on-screen guide for more details.

How Can You Watch ESPN’s Games In 4K?

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

Have a question about a favorite show, streaming service or new TV technology? 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.