Last week, DirecTV aired coverage of The Masters in 4K Ultra High Definition making it the satellite provider’s first 4K sports telecast. It will follow up The Masters with a lineup of 25 baseball games produced in 4K by MLB Network.

The MLB Network Showcase features up to 25 games and has Bob Costas as its lead announcer. It marks the first time baseball will be aired regularly in UHD and it signifies that regular 4K programming is becoming available. As sales of 4K sets increase, viewers want more programming to see the benefits and features of UHD. For DirecTV customers, they’ll have the opportunity with the series of MLB Network games.

In order to watch the MLB Network Showcase games, subscribers will be required to have the following:

  • A DirecTV Ultimate or Premier Package subscription
  • The latest Genie HD DVR (HR54)
  • Either a DirecTV 4K Ready TV or a compatible 4K TV4 connected to the latest 4K Genie Mini

Just last week, DirecTV launched a full-time 4K channel featuring coverage of The Masters. Now with 25 MLB games, sports fans will have more programming to watch in ultra high definition. The next step is for other networks to begin producing sports in 4K such as ESPN and for sports leagues such as the NFL to make their games available in the next level of HD.

The first MLB in 4K will be available this Friday when the San Francisco Giants take on the Los Angeles Dodgers. Other games on the schedule are as follows:

April 19 – Chicago Cubs @ St. Louis Cardinals

April 29 – New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox

April 30 – New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox

Games will be subject to blackout in the local markets.

[AT&T Press Center]

About Ken Fang

Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.

He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.

Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.

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