BT Sport, Ericsson to Launch First Ultra-HD Channel in the UK

Professional football players in England. Photo: BT Sport

[Via Satellite 06-23-2015] Ericsson has signed a multi-year broadcast and media services deal with BT Sport to help launch three new television channels and an interactive red button service in the United Kingdom.

Ericsson will be responsible for designing, building and running BT Sport Europe, Free-to-Air (FTA) service BT Sport Showcase, and BT Sport UHD. According to Ericsson, BT Sport UHD will be the first Ultra-HD channel to launch in the U.K. and will feature live football along with other premium content.

Ericsson will also help to deliver BT Sport’s new BT Sport Extra red button service, which will enable viewers to choose between eight Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) games broadcast live simultaneously, including UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League games.

As part of the deal, BT Sport has also extended Ericsson’s existing six-year contract for BT Sport 1 and 2 by an additional three years. This contract includes playout and media management services and access services for both channels.