DIRECTV Stream: Why Isn’t The Players Tournament In 4K?

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

TV Answer Man, hey, what happened to The Players Championship in 4K on DIRECTV Stream?! I thought it was supposed to be on there! – Tony, Las Vegas.

Tony, The Players Championship golf tournament started yesterday (March 13, 2025) with round one at the TPCSawgrass Stadium Course from Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. YouTube TV aired the first day’s play in 4K as did DIRECTV’s satellite service. However, NBC’s 4K feed was missing on DIRECTV Stream although a DIRECTV spokesman told The TV Answer Man earlier in the week that the streamer would carry the tournament in the format.

So, what happened? College basketball happened.

Why Wasn’t The Players Championship In 4K On DIRECTV Stream?
DIRECTV apparently did not factor in that Fox yesterday was airing 4K broadcasts of both the Big East and Big Ten hoops tournaments. That wasn’t a problem for DIRECTV satellite which has three live 4K channels (105, 106, 107). But DIRECTV Stream has just two live 4K channels (105, 106.) DIRECTV decided to run basketball on those channels instead of golf so The Players Championship got bumped.

After being told by a reader yesterday that the golf tournament was not in 4K on Stream, I contacted the DIRECTV spokesman who told me that it would be in 4K on Friday.

When Will DIRECTV Steam Show The Players Championship In 4K?
Oops. Hold on. The spokesman contacted me later in the day to say it wouldn’t be in 4K on DIRECTV Stream on Friday after all but would be in the format on Saturday and Sunday. The streaming service would have a 4K channel available on those days because the Big Ten 4K feed ends after today (March 14, 2025).

Again, the problem here is that DIRECTV Stream has just two live 4K channels. That’s usually not an issue because there are relatively so few events available in 4K on any given day. But this weekend is unusual because NBC and Fox are offering multiple 4K broadcasts.

If the DIRECTV Stream schedule changes again – and let’s hope not – The TV Answer Man will provide an update here.

How to Watch The Players Championship In HD
By the way, The Golf Channel will air The Players coverage today from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET. NBC will pick up the broadcast with round three on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET and on the final round on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET. You can watch the HD simulcast of the tournament on those channels.

Tony, hope that answers your question. Happy viewing and stay safe!

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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.