ESPN to Air Alabama-Oklahoma CFP Game In 4K; Latest Odds, TV Providers

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Buy Me a Coffee!

ESPN will air college football’s first round championship matchup between 9th ranked Alabama and 8th ranked Oklahoma in upscaled 4K on Friday (December 19, 2025) at 8 p.m. ET.

While ESPN is producing the event, it will actually air on ABC, which will simulcast the game in HD on ABC network affiliates. The game will be available in upscaled 4K on select TV providers.

Who Will the Winner Play Next?
The winner of the Alabama-Oklahoma game, which will take place at the Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma, will advance to the CFP’s (College Football Playoff) next round and play top ranked Indiana in the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2026.

Who’s Expected to Win the Alabama-Oklahoma Game?
ESPN’s Matchup Predictor gives Alabama a narrow 50.9 percent chance of winning while the latest odds make Oklahoma a 1.5-point favorite.

Which TV Providers Will Offer the Game In 4K?
YouTube TV, Dish, Sling TV, DIRECTV, Comcast’s Xfinity TV, Optimum, Charter’s Spectrum TV (on compatible streaming devices) and Verizon are expected to offer the game on their ESPN 4K channels. ESPN does not offer 4K programming on its new Unlimited app.

What Is Upscaled 4K?
The ESPN 4K broadcast will be ‘upscaled’ from 1080p HD.  The upscaled 4K means that the game will be produced in 1080p HD on site and upgraded to 4K for the home transmission. ESPN switched to upscaled 4K a few years ago after previously doing some games in native 4K, which is a 4K production on site transmitted to the home in 4K as well.

Will ESPN Ever Do Native 4K Again?
It’s unlikely that ESPN will revert back to native 4K in the foreseeable future; the industry trend now is upscaling 4K because it saves money.

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