Spain’s RTVE makes 4K DTT breakthrough with FIFA World Cup in Qatar

Speaking at this week’s 4K-HDR Summit in Malaga, Spanish public broadcaster RTVE revealed plans to show the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in UHD-4K and in HDR quality free-to-air on DTT. RTVE says it will be offering nearly 20 matches with the highest image quality, including all games played by the Spanish National Team.

According to RTVE, this is the first DTT broadcast worldwide in UHD-4K of an event of this complexity and duration. The announcement was made by Víctor Sánchez, director of media and operations at TVE, and Ángel García Castillejo, director of audiovisual policies, public service, and international at RTVE.

The signal will be free for all and will be accessible in the coverage areas in Spain. Viewers within the coverage area, around 60% of the Spanish population, will be able to tune in to the UHD-4K channel in their area to watch the World Cup.

This RTVE initiative, which will show the World Cup for the first time free-to-air in Spain since 1998, has been coordinated by the UHD Spain Association. Presided over by RTVE, it brings together companies, organisations and professionals from the sector.