BBC readies content for 4K channel – report

UK public-service broadcaster the BBC is gathering a portfolio of content in preparation for the launch of a 4K ultra high definition channel, according to the Advanced Television website.

The BBC has been producing 4K programming in partnership with its BBC Worldwide division for a number of years, and Advanced Television said that the broadcaster is now pulling this content together.

The BBC will reportedly launch the channel approximately one year from now in time for the 2017 Wimbledon tennis championships, where it has trialled its 4K technology each year since 2013.

The broadcaster also captured footage of the 2014 Commonwealth Games multi-sport event in 4K as part of an ongoing testing process to prepare such footage for transmission.

In addition, the BBC is believed to be working with Japanese public-television broadcaster NHK on its jointly-developed Hybrid Log-Gamma technology, which is compatible with Standard Dynamic Range displays.

Last year, NHK conducted tests and closed-circuit transmissions in 8K at Wimbledon.