UFC fans who are early adopters of 4K TV technology will have the opportunity to watch Saturday's UFC 200 in the fledgling high-resolution format. The UFC will produce a completely separate 4K telecast of the event that will be made available to PPV buyers via both DirecTV and the NeuLion-powered UFC.tv app. It will be DirecTV’s first live PPV offering in 4K, and the UFC.tv digital ticket will boast the first-ever live OTT stream in 4K. The endeavor will result in a 10% bump in the UFC’s production budget for the event, which includes 4K-capable cameras, a separate production truck and additional manpower. “In times of consumer impressions and number of buys, we understand that the audience is somewhat small at this stage,” said UFC Exec VP/Operations & Production Craig Borsari. “We’re really focused on having a clean, technically sound broadcast in 4K. ... Every six months that goes by, the pool of 4K consumers is going to continue to grow, and ultimately it will be the technology that sports fans demand.” A report published by research firm IHS states that just under 10% of U.S. homes owned a 4K TV at the start of the year and projects that number will reach 16-18% by year's end. The promotion conducted a successful test of the 4K technology at UFC 199. The UFC will have seven cameras, all of which will provide the production crews with dual HD and 4K streams. That video will be fed through two completely separate production trucks, each of which will produce its own broadcast featuring unique direction and graphics. “What’s happening on your HD feed isn’t necessarily what you’re going to be seeing on the 4K side,” Borsari said. Both broadcasts will utilize the same commentary from Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan. UFC Coordinating Producer Zach Candito will coordinate between the trucks, while UFC Senior VP/Event Production Tim O’Toole will focus on the 4K feed. AT&T Entertainment Group Senior VP/Content Operations John Ward said that the 4K crew will take some cues from the HD crew to maintain a consistent narrative and stay true to the commentary.
INTO THE FUTURE: The UFC has been working with DirecTV since January to coordinate the promotion’s first 4K broadcast. DirecTV first broadcast live sports in 4K beginning with Amen Corner at Augusta National during this year’s Masters. It has since started airing a weekly game for MLB Network in 4K and also offered a select hole in 4K at the PGA Tour Byron Nelson Classic. UFC 200 will be the provider’s first live PPV event in 4K. Customers who purchase a 4K/HD digital ticket via the UFC.tv app will be able to access the 4K broadcast exclusively via Sony HDR sets. The 4K broadcast will cost $64.99 on DirecTV -- compared to $59.99 for a 1080i HD feed -- and $59.99 via the UFC.tv digital ticket for either HD or 4K. The digital ticket also includes interactive capabilities including control over camera angles during the fight. UFC’s partnership with DirecTV also includes a sponsorship element, which will see the provider-owned Audience Network promote its original series “Kingdom” through activation around the event and broadcast integration. The series, which revolves around a family whose patriarch runs an MMA gym, will run a 30-second promo spot during the UFC 200 show, receive branding on octagon bumpers, be the presenting sponsor of the main stage at the UFC 200 fan expo and debut an interactive footprint at the Spanish Steps of Caesar’s Palace.
