Bathurst 1000 roars onto 4K TV

Foxtel will televise the Bathurst 1000 in 4K technology, making it the first event in the country to be aired in the new definition.

Fox Sports’ Jess Yates with Supercars drivers, from left, Mark Winterbottom, Craig Lowndes, Will Davison, Jamie Whincup and David Reynolds. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Foxtel will create Australian television history at the Bathurst 1000, making one of the world’s most famous motor races the first event in the country to be televised in 4K technology.

Offering viewers four times the resolution of standard high definition, Foxtel will air the Great Race to subscribers with the Sports HD pack on Foxtel’s dedicated 4K channel, 444.

For the first time, viewers will also see the race broadcast free of ad breaks on both the 4K and standard Fox Sports channel.

Retailers are expected to do a strong trade in the latest 4K televisions as the feature becomes more widely available and manufacturers develop thinner frames and innovative technology.

The move is part of a wider corporate strategy to give Foxtel subscribers better value for money through the latest technology, accompanied by exclusive programming and top-tier sports rights. A new dedicated 24/7 cricket channel, Fox Cricket, launched on Foxtel this month.

Foxtel customers can access the new 4K channel, delivered to compatible 4K TVs, through the new iQ4 set-top box, at no extra charge.

Foxtel chief executive Patrick Delany said: “When we announced Foxtel in 4K a month ago we challenged ourselves to bring it to life as soon as possible and after an incredible amount of work we are delighted to bring Australians Bathurst like never before. We did a full test at Sandown last week and the pictures leapt off the screen in 4K. It was amazing — we are ready to go for ­Bathurst.

“It’s fitting that we will ring in a new era in Australian television with an event as big as the action at Mount Panorama.”

Supercars chief executive Sean Seamer said 4K would revolutionise the race.

“Supercars is a sport of colour, sound and movement,” he said. “The cars, the action, excitement and the colour of this iconic Australian event will be captured like never before. We couldn’t be any more excited.”