Redakcja Choose TV
This week, the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off, taking place for the first time simultaneously in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With the start of the tournament comes a question that many fans have been asking for years: will the matches be available to watch in 4K HDR quality? Although the organizers have prepared a signal that allows broadcasting in the highest image quality, it does not mean that every broadcaster will choose to take advantage of it.
HDR is Becoming More Important than 4K
A few years ago, it seemed that 4K would quickly become the standard during major sporting events. However, the reality turned out to be more complicated. More and more television stations today are choosing broadcasts in 1080p HDR, forgoing full 4K. The reason is simple. HDR can significantly improve image quality, contrast, and colors, while requiring much less bandwidth than transmission in native 4K. For broadcasters, this means lower costs and easier distribution of the signal. According to available information, FIFA provides production signals in 4K HDR, but its use depends on local partners who hold broadcasting rights.
And what about Poland?
At this moment, there have been no official announcements confirming the broadcasts of all the matches of the 2026 World Cup in 4K HDR for Polish viewers. Even if some games are shown in higher quality, much will depend on the TV operator, streaming platform, and the equipment used. It's also worth remembering that simply having a 4K TV does not guarantee receiving broadcasts in that quality. The applications, decoders, and support for HDR formats and surround sound also matter. Data published by foreign operators indicates that even in countries offering Ultra HD broadcasts, some transmissions are only upscaled from a lower resolution. Therefore, in practice, the differences between individual markets can be very significant.
Although technology today enables sports broadcasts in 4K HDR and Dolby Atmos, the 2026 World Cup shows that the industry is still in a transitional period. For many broadcasters, HDR is becoming a priority, providing a noticeable improvement in picture quality with much lower technical requirements than full 4K. Polish fans still have to wait for official information regarding the quality of broadcasts available in our market.
source: flatpanelshd
