BBC confirms World Cup coverage - and there's no 4K

The BBC is promising to be the "only destination for 24/7 World Cup action across TV, radio and digital" this summer, but it seems there won't be room for any 4K broadcasts.

Having recently run 4K tests on iPlayer, it looked increasingly likely the Beeb would show some World Cup games in 4K Ultra HD. But today the BBC has announced its World Cup coverage plans, and there was sadly no mention of 4K.

There could yet be a further announcement, and we've asked the BBC for confirmation, but for now it looks ominous for what would have been a great showcase for 4K and HDR broadcasts.

The blow seems all the bigger in light of other countries confirming 4K coverage for this summer’s biggest sport event.

The BBC's presenters and pundits include Alan Shearer, Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, Phil Neville, Jermaine Jenas, Alex Scott, Jurgen Klinsmann, Didier Drogba and Pablo Zabaleta.

Joe is the Content Director for What Hi-Fi? and Future’s Product Testing, having previously been the Global Editor-in-Chief of What Hi-Fi?. He has worked on What Hi-Fi? across the print magazine and website for almost 20 years, writing news, reviews and features on everything from turntables to TVs, headphones to hi-fi separates. He has covered product launch events across the world, from Apple to Technics, Sony and Samsung; reported from CES, the Bristol Show, and Munich High End for many years; and written for sites such as the BBC, Stuff and The Guardian. In his spare time, he enjoys expanding his vinyl collection and cycling (not at the same time).