The big game, Super Bowl 60, has finally arrived. Whether your focus centers on the football action, the commercials, or Bad Bunny’s halftime performance, you could be experiencing it all with dramatically enhanced picture quality.
If you own a 4K television, you can watch NBC’s broadcast of the New England Patriots versus Seattle Seahawks matchup in 4K video—delivering approximately four times the visual quality of standard HDTV. For those without 4K capability, bargain-priced options remain available for last-minute upgrades.
4K Super Bowl History and Adoption
This isn’t the first Super Bowl broadcast in 4K—that milestone occurred in 2020 when Fox transmitted the game in 4K video. However, 4K television ownership has exploded since then. Where relatively few households possessed 4K sets in 2020, more than half of U.S. homes now own one, according to the Consumer Technology Association.
Understanding 4K HDR Technology
The 4K designation refers to display resolution of approximately 4,000 pixels horizontally, translating into noticeably sharper imagery. NBC is broadcasting in 4K HDR (High Dynamic Range), which enhances video through brighter pictures, richer colors, and superior contrast.
“When done well, HDR enhances the contrast of an image – the difference between the lightest and darkest parts –creating greater detail and a wider, more vibrant range of colors, bringing the game closer to what you’d see at the stadium,” writes James Willcox, senior home and tech editor for Consumer Reports.
The practical impact: viewers experience more lifelike imagery with enhanced depth, clearer detail in both bright and dark portions of the frame, and color reproduction that more accurately represents what cameras capture at the stadium.
How to Access NBC’s 4K Broadcast
NBC will transmit Super Bowl 60 in 4K HDR through both its live TV channel and streaming service Peacock. Accessing the 4K broadcast requires either a TV provider supporting NBC’s 4K content or a Peacock subscription.
Cable and Satellite Options
Most major cable services will carry the pregame coverage and Super Bowl broadcast in 4K, including:
- Comcast’s Xfinity (Comcast owns NBC Universal)
- Charter Spectrum
- Verizon Fios
- Satellite providers DirecTV and Dish Network
Streaming Service Options
Multiple streaming platforms will also deliver NBC’s 4K Super Bowl broadcast:
- DirecTV Stream
- Sling TV
- YouTube TV
Peacock Streaming Requirements
To access NBC’s Super Bowl 4K HDR broadcast via Peacock, subscribers need either:
- Premium tier ($10.99 monthly)
- Premium Plus tier ($16.99 monthly, ad-free)
Equipment Requirements
Some smart TVs feature built-in apps streaming 4K content, including Peacock and Google TV. Otherwise, viewers require a 4K-capable streaming device connecting to their television, such as:
- Apple TV 4K
- Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
- Roku Ultra
- Google Chromecast
- Google TV Streamer
Game Time and Extended 4K Coverage
The Super Bowl 60 broadcast begins at 6:30 p.m. ET Sunday, February 8, on NBC. However, the network’s Super Bowl pregame coverage, starting at noon ET, will also be available in 4K—providing over six hours of enhanced-quality content before kickoff.
NBC’s “4K All Day” Event
As part of NBC’s “4K All Day” event, the network will also broadcast the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in 4K beginning at 7 a.m. ET on Sunday, February 8—creating a full day of premium viewing experiences.
NBC will continue providing 4K coverage from the Winter Olympics through Sunday, February 22, giving sports fans extended opportunities to experience the enhanced picture quality beyond just Super Bowl Sunday.
Why Upgrade Matters
For casual viewers, 4K HDR may seem like incremental improvement. For sports enthusiasts and home theater devotees, the difference proves significant—particularly during action-packed events like the Super Bowl where following fast-moving players, appreciating stadium atmosphere, and catching subtle details enhance engagement.
The combination of 4K resolution and HDR technology means viewers can better track player movements, see facial expressions during crucial moments, appreciate the vibrant colors of team uniforms and stadium graphics, and experience commercials and Bad Bunny’s halftime show with cinematic quality typically reserved for premium streaming content.
As more than half of American households now possess 4K capability, Super Bowl 60 represents NBC’s commitment to delivering premium content matching modern television technology—ensuring the biggest annual sporting event looks as spectacular at home as it does in person at the stadium.
Whether you’re watching for the football, the commercials, or the entertainment, experiencing Super Bowl 60 in 4K HDR offers the best possible home viewing experience for this cultural phenomenon.
