AUSTRALIA will become one of just a handful of countries to adopt next-generation TV broadcasts this weekend when the Bathurst 1000 motor race is delivered live in 4K resolution for the first time.

The annual Supercar race will be the first Australian event to be broadcast using the new resolution, which offers pictures four times as sharp as high-definition, though it will be followed by 4K feature films and documentaries, and live cricket matches next month.

Industry experts predicted the country’s first 4K channel would trigger a new era in television technology, though they warned some viewers would have to upgrade their TV to participate.

Foxtel shifted its plans to launch the dedicated 4K channel to coincide with its coverage of the Bathurst 1000, as chief executive Patrick Delany said it would be a fitting way to begin “a history-making step in Australian broadcasting”.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

The 4K coverage will begin with a replay of the Bathurst 1000 Top 10 Shootout, before the race begins just after 11am.

Foxtel, which is part-owned by News Corp, will then use its dedicated 4K channel to broadcast documentaries, concerts, and TV shows in the new resolution, before 4K cricket coverage begins on November 4.

Telsyte managing director Foad Fadaghi said the motor race would be “a great test run” for the new technology, but 4K coverage of cricket was likely to win over a lot of Australian viewers.

“The cricket is a massive national pastime and the prospect of seeing greater detail on the field will be quite attractive for fans,” he said.

“Sport will arguably become the most popular content for 4K. It is for that reason that companies like Foxtel and Optus have placed substantial bets on sports coverage.”

Mr Fadaghi said 15 per cent of Australian households currently used a 4K television, but that number was expected to rise to 50 per cent in just four years as more viewers upgraded their TVs and sought out better picture quality.

While 4K TV shows were available from online services such as Netflix and Amazon, Mr Fadaghi said Foxtel’s 4K satellite service could bring the technology to more households which “might not have NBN or might not have a fast enough internet connection”.

WHAT YOU CAN WATCH IN FOXTEL 4K
October 7: Live Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, and a replay of the Bathurst Top 10 Shootout

November 4, 9, 11: Australia vs. South Africa One Day International

November 17: Australia vs. South Africa T20

November 21, 23, 25: Australia vs. India T20

December 6-January 7: Australia vs. India Test Series

January 12, 15, 18: Australia vs. India One Day International

January 24-February 5: Australia vs. Sri Lanka Test Series

Plus 16 Big Bash League matches

Concerts: The Rolling Stones, Take That, Olly Murs, Corrine Bailey Rae, Eric Clapton, Pharrell Williams, Muse

Documentaries: The Big Wave Project, Animal Empires, Planet Earth II, Deadly Australians, Shark Bait
Movies: Jack Reacher

WHAT YOU NEED TO WATCH 4K TV
4K television: Most new televisions over 50 inches in size feature 4K resolutions, also known as Ultra High-Definition. These include models from Samsung, LG, Sony, Hisense, and Panasonic

A Foxtel satellite connection, iQ4 set-top box, and Sports and HD subscriptions: Foxtel’s 4K channel (444) is included in the pack

A high-speed internet connection, Amazon Prime or Netflix subscription: Some 4K content can be streamed from either service, though they recommend a download speed of 25 megabits per second or more