US media company Comcast has announced the launch of enhanced 4K from Xfinity, which it says is a first-of-its-kind viewing experience on X1 that combines industry-leading video, audio and network technology to deliver an viewing experience for the Paris Olympics.
Available on USA Network’s 24/7 coverage, enhanced 4K brings together 4K video delivered over Comcast’s network at its highest bitrate, Dolby Vision for life-like picture quality, Dolby Atmos immersive audio, and ultra-low latency only seconds behind all the live action unfolding in Paris.
“The Olympics is the best example of how Comcast can bring together its fantastic sports content, entertainment platforms, and innovative technology and connectivity offerings to deliver one-of-a-kind experiences to customers,” said Vito Forlenza, Vice President, Sports Entertainment, Comcast. “By premiering enhanced 4K during Paris 2024, fans of the Olympics will be among the first to experience this new innovation and enjoy all the live action in stunning picture and audio quality, with significantly less delay compared to anything else in the market.”
The launch follows a successful trial of the technology conducted during the 2024 Super Bowl. Moving forward, says Comcast, enhanced 4K will be the new quality standard for live sports delivered in 4K on X1.
X1 customers will find the enhanced 4K feed within X1’s Olympics destination. The centre for all things Olympics on X1, the destination features curated and personalised access to every minute of coverage across the networks of NBCUniversal, including NBC, USA Network, E!, CNBC, GOLF Channel, Telemundo, Universo, two new Paris Extra channels featuring 24/7 Olympics programming, as well as streaming on Peacock. Easily accessible by saying “Olympics” into the voice remote, the destination features new capabilities that make experiencing all the joy of The Olympics simple, easy and intuitive.
Personalised experience across devices
In just a few clicks, customers can choose their favourite sports to build a custom destination that makes finding live coverage, event replays and a personalised playlist of highlights effortless. Any favourites will carry over to the Xfinity Stream app, so customers will see the same personalised experience when on the go.
Comprehensive and interactive schedule of events
X1 will feature an interactive daily schedule, giving customers one comprehensive guide of all live and upcoming events airing across NBCUniversal’s cable and broadcast networks and streaming on Peacock. Customers can filter the schedule by any of the 39 sports, tune directly to live events, set reminders, or schedule DVR recordings.
Catch-Up Highlights
With Catch-up Highlights on X1, customers can quickly jump to top moments in recorded primetime and daytime coverage on NBC, as well as men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, and golf. Catch-up Highlights are powered by same Emmy-award winning AI technology from Comcast that also delivers Peacock’s Key Plays and Sky’s Sports Recap.
4K, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos on Xfinity Stream
Xfinity X1 customers wanting to enjoy the games on the go can, for the first time, experience stunning 4K picture quality while watching USA Network’s 24/7 Olympics coverage via the Xfinity Stream app. Also, for the first time, customers can unlock Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos immersive sound via the Xfinity Stream app on compatible streaming devices and TVs.
Team Comcast Profiles
Xfinity will give customers a chance to get to know all 16 Team Comcast Olympians and Paralympians in a new, full-screen interactive experience featuring stats and bios of each athlete, competition highlights, Xfinity-exclusive interviews, and more.
Venue Tours
Some of Paris’s most storied landmarks, like the Eiffel Tower, Palace of Versailles and Roland-Garros will play host to Olympic events. Immersing viewers in the beauty and spectacle of The Olympics, the venue tours showcase how events such as beach volleyball, equestrian and tennis will come to life at these iconic sights.
Xfinity Sports Zone App, Featuring Odds Zone
X1’s sports companion experience will offer customers the ability to watch one event while getting updates on others in progress. It is also where customers access Xfinity Odds Zone, a new sports betting experience that makes it easy for customers to follow live odds and initiate wagers on the DraftKings Sportsbook mobile app without taking their eyes off the main screen. For the first time, Xfinity Odds Zone will be available for select Olympics sports, including men’s and women’s basketball, soccer and golf.
On its streaming platforms, Xfinity Flex and Xumo Stream Box, Comcast will offer its Internet customers a robust destination that brings Peacock’s 5,000+ hours of live coverage into one integrated experience easily accessible by saying “Olympics” into the voice remote. It will also provide quick access to Peacock’s new Multiview feature, whip-around coverage on Gold Zone, highlights and replays, other shows and documentaries, and more. The destination will also pull in other Olympic-related programming from streaming services such as YouTube, Netflix, Apple TV+, MAX, Prime Video and more.