BBC 4K services ‘to use iPlayer’

Any BBC 4K (Ultra HD) service is likely to launch on the broadcaster’s iPlayer service rather than any broadcast platform according to BBC head of technology, Andy King.

King told Advanced Television that broadcasting 4K content over the UK’s digital terrestrial TV (Freeview) platform was proving “difficult” and suggested the BBC was likely to take an “internet first” approach.

Such a move would enable owners of UHD Smart TVs to access higher quality pictures from the BBC via their built-in iPlayer apps and could even potentially allow the iPlayer-based BBC Store to offer shows in UHD.

About Martin Hoscik

Martin has written about TV, film, telecoms and technology for more than 20 years and has previously contributed to several consumer magazines, as well as commentating on TV and radio about the UK's media industry. He is currently the editor of STREAMEDTV and sister site SEENIT.