PyeongChang 2018: NBC Olympics Commits to 4K HDR Coverage of Up to Four Events Daily on One-Day Delay

Xfinity is the presenting sponsor of NBC Olympics’ 4K HDR coverage

Marking another technological advancement for NBC Olympics, NBCUniversal’s comprehensive coverage of the XXIII Olympic Winter Games from PyeongChang, South Korea, will include the availability of 4K High Dynamic Range (HDR) to cable, satellite, telco providers, and other partners.

NBC Olympics’ 4K HDR offering will be the first time robust coverage of the Winter Olympics or any Olympic Games competition sessions have been presented in 4K High Dynamic Range in the United States. The presentation will be the second consecutive time NBC has delivered coverage of the Olympic Games in 4K. NBC Olympics first delivered coverage of the Olympic Games in 4K during last summer’s presentation of the Rio Olympics, when NBC distributed the Games in 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD).

Xfinity is the presenting sponsor of NBC Olympics’ 4K HDR coverage of the PyeongChang Games.

“The Olympics has always been a platform for the introduction of new broadcast technology,” said Gary Zenkel, President, NBC Olympics. “The availability of 4K High Dynamic Range coverage of Olympic ceremonies and competitions through our participating multi-channel distribution partners, will be a great showcase for this emerging advancement in the quality of televised sports coverage in the United States.”

“Providing the highest quality viewing experiences on the TV and across devices for the biggest and best moments in sports and entertainment has always been our top priority,” said Matthew Strauss, Executive Vice President, Xfinity Services. “The Olympics brings us together unlike any event to experience the incredible emotions and heart-pounding moments that take our breath away, and we are proud to partner with NBCUniversal to bring the Winter Games to viewers across the country in pristine 4K HDR for the first time.”

NBC Olympics will distribute the 4K HDR coverage, provided by Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) and Japan’s NHK, to U.S. distribution partners who will individually choose how they will make the content available to their customers.

“This is yet another first at an Olympic Games, and OBS is proud to continually provide and facilitate the very latest technology to its broadcast partners,” said Yiannis Exarchos, Chief Executive Officer, Olympic Broadcasting Services. “The performances of the best athletes in the World deserve to be captured with the best broadcast technology available.”

NBC’s 4K HDR coverage of the PyeongChang Games will be made available on delay, and will include 4K footage from the Opening Ceremony, hockey, figure skating, short track speed skating, ski jumping, and snowboard big air competitions. Up to four events from the previous day’s competition will be provided daily from February 10, the day after the Opening Ceremony, through February 26, the day after the Games conclude.

4K HDR technology displays images at over 8 million pixels (3,840 x 2,160), providing pictures with a high resolution that is roughly four times that of current HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels). In addition, 4K HDR allows for a Wide Color Gamut (WCG) presentation, expanding the range of both color and contrast, which provides a wider and richer range of colors delivered to viewers.

NBC’s primetime coverage of The Winter Olympics begins Feb. 8, 2018.