PS4 Pro gets 4K HDR BT Sport Ultimate service – good news for PS5?

PS4 Pro gets 4K HDR BT Sport ahead of Champions League Final – good news for PS5?
(Image credit: Future)

BT is expanding hardware support for its 4K HDR BT Sport Ultimate service to Sony's PS4 Pro.

In time for this week’s UEFA Champions League (23rd August) and UEFA Europa League (21st August) finals, BT Sport will be available to watch on PS4 Pro consoles in 4K definition and high dynamic range (HDR) picture quality. A firmware update will be rolling out this week. 

The HD playback version of the app will continue to be available on the standard PS4, but as the console doesn't support 4K or HDR it naturally won't be getting the update.

We would, however, hope this means that the fully fledged version of the BT Sport app will also be available on the PS5 when (or shortly after) it arrives later this year. Considering the PS5 will support 8K video, and BT Sport has been trialling 8K broadcasts in Europe in the past year, could the next-gen gaming console be among the first platforms on which 8K sport broadcasts can be viewed? Quite possibly, although we admit we're thinking ahead here.

While support for the BT Sport app is prolific across a lot of today's AV hardware, the list is considerably shorter for the 4K HDR version, which is available on Android and iOS devices, select Samsung Smart TVs (2017 to 2020 models), the Xbox One X and Xbox One S and the Google Chromecast Ultra

MORE:

BT Sport Ultimate and 8K: everything you need to know

PS4 vs PS5: should you upgrade?

The best PS4 and PS4 Pro deals in August 2020: cheap bundles and best prices

PS5: release date, specs and news for the PlayStation 5

Becky Roberts

Becky is the managing editor of What Hi-Fi? and, since her recent move to Melbourne, also the editor of the brand's sister magazines Down Under – Australian Hi-Fi and Audio Esoterica. During her 11+ years in the hi-fi industry, she has reviewed all manner of audio gear, from budget amplifiers to high-end speakers, and particularly specialises in headphones and head-fi devices. In her spare time, Becky can often be found running, watching Liverpool FC and horror movies, and hunting for gluten-free cake.

Latest in Gaming
LG OLED42C2
Hardcore gamers rejoice: more TVs should have three or four HDMI 2.1 ports this year
Sony PS5 Pro and PS5 consoles on a grey and red background
PS5 Pro vs PS5: what are the differences?
PS5 Pro on a white background
The super-powerful PS5 Pro doesn't come with a disc drive or stand but costs £700 / $700
Two gamers on a sofa enjoying a split screen racing game on a TV lit by the Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box 8K.
The new, pricier Philips Hue Play sync box 8K is made for gamers
Pulse Elite headset and Pulse Explore earbuds
Sony's upcoming PlayStation 5 update will bring personalised spatial audio to the console
Graphic showing the labelled Xbox Series X Digital Edition
Disc-less Xbox Series X Digital Edition (and two more consoles) get release date
Latest in News
Sony Bravia Projector 8 home cinema projector
Terrible news: Sony is about to stop selling projectors in Europe, including the UK
Audiolab 6000A MkII amplifier in silver
Audiolab upgrades its five-star 6000A amplifier with a new DAC chip, enhanced circuitry and HDMI ARC
Qobuz
Qobuz reveals average payout per stream – and claims it is higher than rivals
Sonos Beam Gen 2
Quick! This five-star Sonos Dolby Atmos soundbar has dropped close to its lowest price
The Google Pixel 9a being held horizontally at waist-height so only the back is visible.
The Google Pixel 9a launches at £100 less than the iPhone 16e with a better screen
A woman flicking through stacks of vinyl records in a Rough Trade shop.
Vinyl records and music streaming both hit landmark highs – but the one growing faster in revenue may surprise you