Sony, FIFA plan 4K World Cup games

Sony and FIFA have announced plans to produce three full matches from this summer’s football World Cup in Ultra HD, or 4K, in a move they said will help to accelerate the expansion of the technology.

The international football federation said that it will use Sony’s 4K equipment and production processes to film one game from the final-16 team stage, one quarter final match and the July 13 final from the Estadio Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro.

Sony and FIFA will also jointly produce the Official 2014 FIFA World Cup Film in 4K. This will include a selection of games, including the final, and be distributed online after the tournament is over.

“We are very excited to offer an entirely new viewing experience at the greatest sport event in the world, the FIFA World World Cup,” said Soichi Kawachi, the Sony VP in charge of the FIFA partnership.

“By leveraging our cutting-edge 4K technology and our premier products and solutions through our partnership with FIFA, we will deliver a unique and totally compelling entertainment experience, conveying the excitement of the matches in Brazil with the depth and vividness that the ultra-high definition of 4K delivers.”

FIFA’s director of TV Niclas Ericson added: “We are excited by the prospect of working with Sony to incorporate 4K technology in our production plans. 4K will propel fans around the globe into a whole new viewing dimension and it marks the dawning of a new era in the broadcasting of sport.”