Sony Electronics has announced that it has participated in successful streaming trials of live 4K sporting events, including the first live North American soccer broadcast in 4K by Univision Deportes. These events, streamed live in 4K by leveraging the NeuLion Digital Platform and delivered over-the-top (OTT) to Sony 4K HDR Ultra HD TVs that have integrated the NeuLion 4K Streaming SDK, were viewable to exclusive audiences at locations in Florida, New York and California.
Sony states these streaming events, which began in early 2016, will continue through the summer.
“Sony 4K HDR Ultra HD TVs are the logical choice for these 4K events because with our experience in 4K HDR shooting, editing, recording, storage, playback, and transmission, we understand 4K display technology like no other company,” says Sunil Nayyar, director of product marketing, TV and projectors, North America. “These 4K live streaming tests reveal that the streaming and broadcast of live 4K sports is on its way to consumers in the near future. And Sony's line-up of 4K HDR Ultra HD TVs are ready today.”
Univision Deportes, the multimedia sports division of Univision Communications Inc. that includes UDN, the Spanish-language sports network, produced the first live North American soccer event in 4K for a friendly match between Mexico's National Team andSenegal that took place at Marlins Park in Miami, Florida on February 10. It was streamed live via exclusively to Sony 4K HDR Ultra HD TVs with the NeuLion 4K Streaming SDK integrated. NeuLion, a technology product and service provider specializing in the OTT distribution and monetization of live and on-demand video to Internet-enabled devices, and NEP, a global leader in the remote television industry, partnered with Univision Deportes to deliver the 4K live stream.
“What makes 4K so exciting is how it enhances the experience for our fans and how we can boost their passion for our sports in a truly immersive way,” comments Olek Loewenstein, senior, vice president of strategy and operations, Univision Deportes. “Soccer matches are won and lost with lots of detail on the field of play, and with 4K, the fans are closer than ever to the insider experience. The popularity of our Univision Deportes App reveals that our fans are eager for more sports and we are the leader in the soccer fan experience. With the proliferation of 4K-capable devices and content, we are excited to take this first step to deliver a soccer match in 4K with NeuLion and Sony.”
Univision Deportes has more 4K events coming up this year, including producing the final of the Copa America Centerio in 4K. As the lineup of 4K events grows, Univision Deportes and other NeuLion customers are expected to deliver the new 4K services targeting devices like Sony's 4K UHD HDR TVs.
“NeuLion is very excited to partner with Univision and Sony to create an end-to-end solution for the delivery, monetization and distribution of live 4K video on the world's most popular devices,” adds Dr. Kanaan Jemili, CEO of NeuLion. “These events are proof that live 4K sports are the wave of the very near future.”
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