Netflix CEO: Web firms to benefit first from 4K

Ultra High Definition, also known as 4K, will benefit online firms before traditional broadcasters, with the technology still years away from being deployed by cable and satellite firms, according to Netflix CEO Reed Hastings.

Speaking in an interview with the BBC at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Hastings said that 4K was shaping up to be “the first format that is internet-only”.

“It’s really focused on internet delivery. So broadcast, cable, satellite – they’re not going to have Ultra HD, at least not in the next five years. It’s all going to be internet delivery,” said Hastings.

The comments came after Sony announced at CES that it is collaborating with Netflix, optimising its 2014 line of 4K Ultra HD TVs to support 4K streaming from the company and other forthcoming 4K video services.

Netflix reportedly added a small number of Ultra HD videos to its US site in November, ahead of a wider planned push for the technology this year.

Hastings confirmed this week that firm is filming the second season of its original drama series House of Cards in 4K, and in the firm’s last earnings call in October Hastings said “we want to be one of the big suppliers of 4K content next year.”

Discussing Netflix’s wider growth plans, Hastings told the BBC: “We’ll continue to invest in more content, improving the service, improving what we do and expanding countries for many years ahead.”