UHD: 4K is here and now, but what about 8K?

The general public are buying 4K/Ultra HD displays at an enormous rate. Indeed, it is difficult to go into a retailer and find a set that is not equipped for UHD. Paul Gray director, research and analysis at IHS Markit, says that globally more than half of all TVs shipped in Q4 last year were 4K. In Western Europe 63% of shipments were 4K.

Falling prices are helping sales, and buyers are opting for ever-larger screen sizes. Next year’s global sales will easily top 130 million units, and 55” now seems to be the ‘sweet spot’ in terms of screen size, at least for European consumers.

The other obvious boost for sales is the growing number of UHD channels and programming now available. Across Europe it is the pay-TV operators who are leading this charge with the likes of Sky and Canal Plus pushing 4K content, in particular in Sport and Drama. These broadcasters are investing in new 4K episodic drama productions, and the results are flowing onto subscriber screens.

Satellite operator Eutelsat’s Michel Chabrol, speaking at the April MIPTV event in Cannes, said there are now 155 Ultra HD channels (or feeds) available around the world, and up an impressive 24% over the past year. Some markets have an impressive number of 4K channels available. For example…