March Madness: Will the Houston-Florida Final Air In 4K?

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

TV Answer Man, do you know if the March Madness final between Florida and Houston will be in 4K? – Peter, Galveston, Texas.

Peter, top seeds Houston and Florida will play tonight in college basketball’s 2025 championship game at 8:50 p.m. ET. CBS will broadcast the March Madness final and Paramount Plus with Showtime subscribers can stream it live as well.

Will Houston-Florida Air In 4K? 

But will it be available in 4K, you ask? The answer is no. The game will be in High-Definition.

Why Won’t the Game Be In 4K? 

CBS has not been bullish on producing live sporting events in the format. Over the years, the network has done The Masters and one Super Bowl in 4K but that’s about it. Like other networks which have shied away from 4K, CBS apparently believes the added cost and time required to do live sports in 4K does not result in increased revenue or viewership.

But Wasn’t the Women’s Final Four In 4K? 

Yes, the women’s March Madness Final Four was in 4K over the weekend. But it was broadcast by ESPN which has aired numerous college basketball and football games in 4K over the last several years. Along with Fox, ESPN is a leader in 4K broadcasting.

What Does This Mean For 4K’s Future? 

4K programming, whether it’s live sports or movies and shows, continues to be a niche product, reserved largely for special events or available only in the most expensive streaming plans. Netflix, for example, now only offers 4K movies and shows in its top tier which costs $24.99 a month. While scores of millions of Americans own 4K TVs, content companies are not convinced that 4K programming will generate more subscriptions. Most viewers, the executives believe, are content with traditional high-def.

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

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Phillip Swann

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