I think 4K will have a bigger chance of surviving (and perhaps even thriving) in the long run with this format essentially being a higher resolution picture than your typical 1080i/p HD, but there’d need to be a larger amount of content available for consumers to embrace 4KTV en-masse.
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MotoGP should also be in 4K on 444. No sign of the Qatar GP broadcast. Just glorious HD on 506.
If MotoGP, Indycar and NASCAR are not broadcast overseas in 4K, then it’s no use for Fox Sports to upscale these broadcasts to 4K.
Fox Sports is able to broadcast F1 in 4K because it is tapping into Sky Sports’ 4K coverage.
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Unless something changed this year, I’m pretty sure Moto GP isn’t filmed in 4k.
2019 - The Rugby World Cup 2019
AD-BREAK FREE DURING PLAY ON A DEDICATED CHANNEL
LIVE IN 4K ULTRA HD
Foxtel’s FOX SPORTS has secured the streaming and broadcast rights to the Rugby World Cup 2019. All matches of the prestigious tournament will be made available LIVE and ad-break free during play on a dedicated channel and, for the first time, LIVE in 4K Ultra HD, exclusive for Foxtel sports subscribers*.
The biggest sporting event of 2019, the Rugby World Cup 2019 will be held in Japan from September 20 to November 2 meaning that matches are scheduled in prime viewing times for Australian audiences.
FOX SPORTS will live stream and broadcast all 48 matches of the tournament to Foxtel subscribers. This will include all of the Wallabies’ pool matches, all four Quarter Finals, both Semi-Finals, the Bronze Final for 3rd place and the Final.
In another first, Kayo Sports will also stream FOX SPORTS’ live coverage to its subscribers and all matches will be available to stream on-demand.
FOX SPORTS’ coverage will be broadcast on a dedicated Rugby World Cup channel, which will include match previews, daily highlights, review programs, archive matches from previous Rugby World Cup tournaments and analysis from the best commentators in the business.
Head of FOX SPORTS Peter Campbell said: “The Rugby World Cup 2019 is the biggest sports event this year and the only place to see all 48 games LIVE and ad-break free during play is on FOX SPORTS.
“And we will create history with every Rugby World Cup 2019 game available to Foxtel sports subscribers and exclusively LIVE in 4K Ultra HD – this will provide a stunning viewing experience like never before for sports fans.
“The modern Australian sports fan has a rich tapestry of background and heritage. Whether supporting the Wallabies or the All Blacks, England, Italy, South Africa, the USA, Fiji, or Tonga and beyond, our coverage will be for all fans no matter who you support. A global event like the Rugby World Cup 2019 is for all, irrespective of our backgrounds or sports’ code allegiance.
“The rights we have acquired will also allow all matches in the tournament to be streamed on the new sports only service Kayo Sports, as well as Foxtel Now. Eligible Foxtel customers can also stream the Rugby World Cup 2019, where and when they want, with Foxtel’s mobile app, Foxtel GO, which is available at no additional charge with a Foxtel subscription.”
World Rugby Chairman, Bill Beaumont, added: “We are delighted to be welcoming FOX SPORTS as rights holding broadcasters for Rugby World Cup 2019. They are long-standing supporters of rugby in Australia, broadcast innovators and with all of the big matches being shown in prime-time slots, will be a destination for Australian sports fans in September, October and November.”
It will be interesting to see how Fox handles other sport with 4 dedicated themed channels in October
I think domestic competitions like the NBL and the A-League will take priority on the three remaining Fox Sports channels, and it’s the overseas sports events such as tennis and golf which may miss out on live coverage.
After the RWC Final, 503 will become a general entertainment channel. Some events will likely be on 500
Foxtel needs more, not less, channels, to cover its smorgasbord of sports, especially with multiple events happening on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Pop-up channels may be answer.
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News Corp reports today that Wallaby great George Gregan will be part of Fox Sports’ commentary team for this year’s Rugby World Cup.
I’m assuming Greg Clark and co will do all Aussie matches-final?
Fox Sports this week regained Australian rights to IndyCar, however there is no live coverage for the renamed NTT IndyCar series for 2019, only highlights.
However, IndyCar CEO Mark Miles has told Speedcafe that Australian fans may get to again see live coverage of IndyCar races in 2020.
WATCH EVERY NRL AND AFL GAME OVERSEAS IN 2019
WATCH EVERY ROUND, FINALS SERIES AND GRAND FINAL, OF THE 2019 NRL TELSTRA PREMIERSHIP, PLUS ALL THREE HOLDEN STATE OF ORIGINS, LIVE
WATCH EVERY ROUND, FINALS SERIES AND GRAND FINAL, OF THE 2019 TOYOTA AFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON.
WatchNRL and WatchAFL are the official international streaming services that ensure sports fans can watch their favourite team play every round in 2019. AFL fans can access WatchAFL outside of Australia and League fans can access outside of Australia, New Zealand and certain Pacific Nations*.
With both codes kicking off this month (NRL on 14 March and AFL on 21 March), fans living abroad or planning to travel overseas will be able to watch every AFL and NRL match, plus the finals series and Grand Final, Live and On Demand.
Subscribers to WatchNRL will also be able to watch the epic, annual clash between the NSW Blues and QLD Maroons in all three State of Origin matches LIVE – plus gain access to FOX LEAGUE channel content, Australia’s only dedicated Rugby League channel, which includes favourite league shows like, The Late Show with Matty Johns, NRL 360 and the award-winning League Life.
WatchAFL subscribers will get every AFL match live, plus favourite AFL entertainment shows like AFL 360 and On the Couch, plus be able to keep up to date with the latest in breaking AFL news via Australia’s only dedicated 24/7 Aussie Rules channel, FOX FOOTY.
Thanks to features like instant full match replays, and ‘hide scores’, fans have the ability to choose when and where they want to start watching, without any spoilers, so they can watch as if it were live.
WatchNRL is available at www.watchnrl.com, via the WatchNRL mobile and tablet apps for iOS and Android or through screens with Airplay or Chromecast enabled for WatchNRL. First-time subscribers who sign up any time before 21st March 2019 with get the first two weeks free.
WatchAFL is available at www.watchafl.com, via the WatchAFL mobile and tablet apps for iOS and Android or through screens with Airplay or Chromecast enabled for WatchAFL. First-time subscribers who sign up any time before 28 March, 2019 will get the first two weeks free.
Fans also have the flexibility and freedom with their sign up, with options between a weekly, monthly and 12-month subscription.
During Supercars Trackside yesterday - David Croft and Paul Di Resta from Sky Sports appeared briefly with Jess Yates.
With a Supercars Media microphone I also point out! I’m so used to seeing them on track with Sky Sports kit.
The Masters on Fox Sports
ALL FOUR COMPETITION ROUNDS LIVE AND AD-BREAK FREE
DEDICATED MASTERS CHANNEL DELIVERING WEEK LONG COVERAGE
Foxtel’s FOX SPORTS will deliver Australian golf fans the most comprehensive coverage of the year’s first major tournament The Masters with live, ad-break free coverage on a dedicated channel.
The Masters will be staged at the famed Augusta National Golf Club from April 12 to 15 and will feature the world’s best golfers vying for the coveted Green Jacket.
FOX SPORTS will air all four tournament rounds of The Masters LIVE and ad-break free, meaning fans will not miss any of the action.
To celebrate its comprehensive coverage of The Masters FOX SPORTS 505 will also become a dedicated 24 hour channel from Monday, April 8 creating a one stop destination to immerse yourself in the historic tournament.
The Masters Channel will feature the Masters Films; a series of documentaries which look back on some of the biggest wins from across Masters history including Tiger Woods’ four victories, Phil Mickelson three triumphs and Aussie Adam Scott’s historic maiden win in 2013.
Masters – On The Range also returns in 2019 providing fans with unprecedented analysis, interviews and previews from the practice range of Augusta National, including live analysis after each competition round.
The Masters Channel will also air the traditional Par 3 competition on Thursday morning, April 11, which brings out the greats in the game as well as some special guests, and will also air replays of each competition round.
FOX SPORTS’ own golf expert and former professional Paul Gow will be on the ground to provide daily news reports from the event for FOX SPORTS News.
The LIVE action from Round One of The Masters swings into action on Friday, April 12, with a stellar field including defending champion Patrick Reed, World Number 1 Dustin Johnson, recent PGA winners Rory McIlroy and Paul Casey, as well as Australian hopefuls Marc Leishman, Jason Day and Adam Scott, who won the event in 2013.
FOX SPORTS’ digital channels will continue to deliver multi-camera coverage of the tournament with fans able to watch Featured Groups, Amen Corner (holes 11, 12 and 13) and the 15th and 16th holes via the FOX SPORTS APP or at Foxsports.com.au.
LIVE, ad break free and HD coverage continue across the weekend culminating on Monday morning, April 15 when a new champion will be presented with the famous Green Jacket.
FOX SPORTS is available on Foxtel.
THE MASTERS – FOX SPORTS BROADCAST SCHEDULE
ON FOX SPORTS 505
MON 8 APR: Dedicated channel switches on 12.00am
THU 11 APR: Par 3 competition 5:00am
FRI 12 APR: The Masters: Round One 5:00am
SAT 13 APR: The Masters: Round Two 5:00am
SUN 14 APR: The Masters: Round Three 5:00am
MON 15 APR: The Masters: Final Round 4:00am
*Times listed are in AEST
Tasmania SuperSprint
The Ford Mustang has dominated the opening two rounds, but a Holden Commodore comeback could be on the cards as the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship sails south to Tasmania this weekend, Live and Ad- break free during racing on FOX SPORTS on Foxtel.
Recent parity changes are tipped to bring the Holden pilots closer to the front of the field and championship leader Scott McLaughlin will be ready for a stampede from the Red Bull Holden Racing Team, with Jamie Whicnup the most successful driver ever at the Symmons Plains circuit.
In the FOX SPORTS studio, reigning Bathurst 1000 champion and Tasmania SuperSprint winner Craig Lowndes, who climbs behind the wheel again today, will join Mark Skaife and Jess Yates to give Foxtel customers insights and analysis across the weekend, plus Chris Stubbs with all the breaking news.
The team are joined by Supercars Experts Neil Crompton, Greg Murphy , technical analyst Mark Larkham and pit lane reporter Riana Crehan.
FOX SPORTS 506
Fri 5 April
Coverage from 10.15am
Practice 1 at 11.50am
Practice 2 at 2.20pm
Sat 6 April
Coverage from 8.50am
Qualifying at 1.50pm
Race at 4.40pm
Sun 7 April
Coverage from 8.40am
Qualifying 11.15am
Race at 2.05pm
Game of Thrones Round
In the lead up to the final season of Game of Thrones launching exclusively on Foxtel from Monday, April 15, FOX SPORTS are set to celebrate the world’s biggest television show across its programming slate, starting this Sunday, April 7.
Fox League, Fox Footy, Supercars and Fox Rugby will all feature in Game of Thrones Round across the network’s unrivalled sports offering, available to Foxtel subscribers.
Fox League will kick off the collaboration with a Thrones-style clash between the Knights and Dragons this Sunday, seen Live and Exclusive in 4K Ultra HD on Foxtel at 6.10pm.
Round 5 of the NRL: Will be themed Game of Thrones Round by Fox League, with The Late Show with Matty Johns and The Professors Late Hit both featuring special episodes.
Fox Footy: Every show and game during round 4 of the AFL on FOX FOOTY will be in theme with GoT.
Supercars: FOX SPORTS coverage of every Supercars race Live and ad-break free during racing will go up a gear when the Phillip Island SuperSprint is branded Game of Thrones Round from April 11-14.
Rugby: Fox Rugby will join in the fun with Super Rugby Kick Off on Friday, April 12 ahead of the Crusader vs Highlanders and Rebels vs Stormers.
The final season of Game of Thrones will launch on Foxtel on Monday, April 15.
FOX LEAGUE
Knights vs Dragons – Sunday, April 7
The mother of Dragons, Daenerys Targaryen, will have one of her very own dragons appear at McDonald Jones Stadium, as Foxtel’s 10m x 6m fire-breathing Dragon marks its territory in front of Knights fans outside the Knights home kingdom in Newcastle this Sunday, April 7.
Game of Thrones Round – NRL Round 5; April 11-14, Every game LIVE
The Late Show with Matty Johns – GoT special; Thursday, April 11
The Professors Late Hit – GoT special; Friday, April 12
Dragons vs Bulldogs – Foxtel Kingdom of Dragons at Kogarah; Sunday, April 14
Supercars
Game of Thrones Round – Phillip Island SuperSprint, April 12-14
This seaside Victorian Grand Prix circuit provides a setting cut straight from a GoT scene. Its picturesque layout is set to be overtaken with thrones fever, when 24 Supercars battle it out for their seat on the iron throne at the top step of the podium on Phillip Island.
With corners such as Siberia there will be no doubt “winter is coming” – defending series champion Scott McLaughlin will have to keep a tight guard on his crown, with the powerful and proud Lannister-like brigade of Jamie Whincup and Shane van Gisbergen plotting the resurgence of the famous lion of Holden; and don’t discount the scheming Tyrion-type and joker in the pack – David Reynolds.
Join host Jess Yates and experts Craig Lowndes and Mark Skaife for a Supercars round like no other from Friday, April 12 on FOX SPORTS 506 and available to stream anywhere, anytime on Foxtel Go!
Rugby
Super Rugby Kick Off – Friday, April 12 before Crusaders vs Highlanders
Join Lou Ransome and Stephen Hoiles plus world Rugby royalty Drew Mitchell when he takes on the identity of the polarising King Joffrey Baratheon for Super Rugby Kick Off ahead of the Crusaders vs Highlanders and Rebels vs Stormers Super Rugby clashes.
Fox Rugby will reveal a special Game of Thrones starting XV with GoT characters named in positions as selected by Drew Mitchell before opening it up to the fans to vote, plus all the usual fun with the gang as they analyse both matches.
FOX FOOTY
Every show and game on FOX FOOTY during round 4 of the 2019 Toyota AFL Premiership Season will celebrate the final season of Game of Thrones, with Up The Guts, Saturday Stretch and Bounce taking the spirit of the themed round to the next level.
FOX FOOTY’s popular hosts and commentators will be unrecognisable as they dress-up as their favourite characters from the hit series, with Lawrence Mooney and Deano on Friday night’s Up The Guts, Brad Johnson, Dermott Brereton and Sarah Olle for Saturday Stretch, and Jason Dunstall, Danny “Spud” Frawley, Cameron Mooney and Andrew Gaze bringing the throne home on Sunday with Bounce.
milking Game of Thrones for all it’s worth! Don’t be surprised if the Foxtel AFL commentators say after a goal “and don’t forget Game Of Thrones returns for the final season Monday at 8.30pm on FOX Showcase”.
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Looking forward to seeing video of the dress-ups on Sky News After Dark.
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