Next generation TV sets can present 4K images at higher frame rates with improved contrast ratios and larger colour spaces. But set manufacturers are only part of the entertainment process. They depend on others to create the imagery that highlights the benefits of the displays they make. The entire CES industry must have content partners that will create a demanding market for these displays in order to keep their factories operating. And, of course content owners hope to be able to charge a premium for these brighter and sharper productions. Set manufacturers, broadcast and production teams see the conundrum as a win-win-win. How so?

The opportunity for broadcasters

The broadcast ecosystem includes the production, distribution and consumption of media. Disruptive technologies are making old business models obsolete in each of these areas just as they did in the newspaper and music business. The success stories in those businesses are the companies who embraced the new technologies rather than fighting against their introduction. How can broadcasters leverage UHD, HDR and more pixels to maintain their relevance in the second millennium?

First let’s look at what is happening in the traditional broadcast arena:

In Korea, KT Skyline is currently broadcasting 3 UHD channels. SKYUHD1 has licensed about 450 hours of UHD content including the Netflix drama, House of Cards. SKYUHD2, which specializes in documentary, has secured about 130 hours of 4K content. UXN which is operated by CJ E&M will provide 400 hours of globally distributed movie and drama content. PARK Beom-su, the in-house post-production supervisor at CJ E&M, explains: “As we have UXN, a specific distribution channel, it was easy for us to boost and expedite 4K re-mastering of our films. Since airing CHOO Chang-min's Masquerade as the opening program of UXN, about 100 films have been re-mastered in 4K and are being aired, as of December 2015”. At NAB 2016 the Korean government announced its decision to allocate five 6 MHz channels in the 700 MHz frequency band to terrestrial broadcasters just for UHD services. This is likely to make Korea the first country to broadcast UHD terrestrially.

In Europe, RAI (Italy), RTP (Portugal), SRF-2(Switzerland), and TF1(France) will be providing various matches from the Europa Cup 2016 series in UHD. TF1 innovates by broadcasting for the first time live 5 matches of UEFA Euro 2016 in Ultra High Definition (opening match, 3 quarterfinals and semifinals) exclusively for Fibre subscribers to the new Livebox Orange. The same applies to the other broadcasters, UHD is only available by IPTV. 

Swisscom has stated that a minimum 40 Mb/s bandwidth is required for reception. UHD1 by Astra/HD+, broadcasting on transponder 1.035, is available to anybody with a UHD/HEVC satellite receiver and dish. While receivers cost less than $100, Astra is currently only transmitting demo footage. 

SES out of Luxembourg is now broadcasting 19 Ultra HD channels worldwide, but looking at the program lineup (May 2016) these all seem to be demo channels oriented toward the sale of 4K TV’s, not channels viewers watch every day. 

In the UK, SKY is delivering Sky Q, but I found no programming as of 06.2016. British Telecoms TV unit is delivering a full 4K offering over their FTTC Infinity network at 50 to 75 Mb/s, but that is not really broadcasting. Matthew Postgate, the chief technology officer of the BBC, recently explained that the BBC was likely to start broadcasting 4K TV programs and channels by 2016 in a standardized, formal way. Be careful, as I think he means distribution via the internet. The BBC has also said they have no plans for UHD transmission before 2017.

 UHD via satellite is available throughout Europe from the Dutch Insight UHD channel (Click on the video at the top of this article). They are transmitting a full program in English with both encrypted and free TV content. Insight is part of TERN (Television Entertainment Reality Network) headquartered in Hilversum, the Netherlands, but was set up with capital from General Satellite in St Petersburg, Russia. The Insight's satellite footprint covers approximately 60 million homes in Europe and India via SES, India’s iTV Network, and Russia’s Tricolor DTH platform.

In Japan, long before 4K became the new buzzword, NHK had committed to broadcasting in UHD at 8K by 2020. Although 4K is paid lip service via Fuji TV’s relationship with the Mist Technologies (nothing to do with vaporware) initiative, the real intent seems to be to go straight to 8K. The Broadcast Bridge writer, Frank Beacham, looked at the challenge of moving to 8K in the article, As 4K Begins a Shaky Launch, Japan Aggressively Pushes 8K Video

Considering that broadcasting no longer exclusively means “Omnidirectional transmission of radio waves from a high tower” some other opportunities come to mind.

As we have previously shown these new services will consume more bandwidth for production, distribution and consumption than any previous application. Broadcasters control lots of bandwidth. Providing premium quality at premium prices seems to make more sense than the current situation where every channel or show is using the same amount of bandwidth regardless of the audience share. 

Single frequency networks, as envisioned by ATSC 3.0, will allow for bandwidth aggregation by regional stakeholders. Such cooperation could make possible high quality production of local content for delivery to a world wide audience. Just imagine the audience reach and high production quality that would be possible if programs like that described in the article, Lake Race 2015, was a cooperative effort by all the regions' broadcasters.

When does broadcasting become narrowcasting? You know those VIP booths in sport stadiums and at the racing track? Well with window size screens and 4K images “Being There” can be anywhere. Theatrical distribution of live events is another example of narrowcasting where 4K HDR will provide a much more immersive experience.

Broadcasters have seen their roles change many times over the last 75 years. When we meet at the IBC or NAB or the local SMPTE chapter meeting we all have one thing in common, a passion for communication. Technology gives us the means, and each new technology only increases our ability.