The following programmes/series were recently made available in Ultra HD format via iPlayer: While it is wonderful to see a greater volume of Ultra HD content produced by the BBC, it’s not yet a match for its rivals in terms of content breadth. Falling further behind its online streaming rivals, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus and Apple TV Plus (which all offer a broad range of Ultra HD content) would do nothing for its cause. Time will tell, but at least we can now enjoy a broader range of BBC Ultra HD content and hope that this signals an upward trajectory in Ultra HD content volume for the coming year. Surely, it’s time for the BBC to launch a full, mainstream service? We cannot remember a time when the BBC has received more criticism, and its viability (based on licence fee funding) in the midst of strengthening streaming rivals is increasingly being called into question. Now we are in 2021, it feels like the trial has gone on for too long now. ![]() The BBC’s Ultra HD trial started in 2016. Sadly, the BBC has lagged behind its streaming competitors in embracing Ultra HD, and seems stuck in what it terms an Ultra HD’ ‘trial’. We have been tracking Ultra HD developments at the BBC for quite some time, and the following updated page summarises developments from the very beginning:īBC iPlayer Ultra HD (4k) Demonstrates Amazing Picture Quality Sky has already announced its intention to shows Olympic coverage in Ultra HD HDR. 2021 will see continued rapid growth in sales of Ultra HD TVs, with the Olympics this year expected to showcase how Ultra HD can dramatically enhance the viewing experience. For example, Netflix’s series ‘The Crown’ has proved very popular and has looked incredible. Ultra HD – which requires significantly higher broadband speeds than HD – will rapidly become the ‘expected’ format for many households. Streamed TV services are the ‘killer application’ for superfast and ultrafast broadband, and a key reason for upgrading broadband packages. The coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns have helped fuel the adoption of streamed TV services, with big-budget players such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+ and Disney Plus offering an impressive range of Ultra HD content. We also suspect that the improved picture quality will really help the BBC to sell its flagship programmes to an international audience. ![]() For anyone seeking demonstrations of how the Ultra HD with HDR can dramatically enhance the viewing experience, these programmes fit the bill perfectly. Two standouts are the incredible ‘A Perfect Planet’ narrated by David Attenborough and ‘Dr Who’ (broadcast on New Year’s Day). These are still available through the iPlayer. ![]() The start of 2021 provided a great demonstration of ‘the art of the possible’ with the Ultra HD (4k) High Dynamic Range (HDR) format with some exciting new programmes becoming available as part of the BBC’s iPlayer Ultra HD ‘trial’.
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