BT TV Becomes First UK Pay TV Service to Offer Netflix in Ultra HD

Telecoms giant BT has announced that customers of their broadband and YouView (IPTV) based television platform will be the first in the Pay TV market to benefit from the ability to view Netflix’s 4K UltraHD video streams.

Admittedly the announcement isn’t as big as they make it sound because Netflix’s independent subscribers have already had the option of taking out a 4K subscription (£8.99 per month) and watching it independently, outside of any Pay TV platforms, for quite a long time now.

Never the less it’s true that many of the big Pay TV providers have yet to get their relevant Netflix support updated to include 4K, which has caused some annoyance for subscribers. Otherwise customers will need to have a compatible 4K TV and sign-up to BT TV’s Total Entertainment package for £15, and new customers will then receive a YouView+ Ultra HD set-top box.

Delia Bushell, MD of BT TV and Sport, said:

“This is bringing our BT TV customers the best drama series married with the highest quality viewing experience now available. Our Ultra HD package will enhance the experience and provide unmissable content at great value, including must-see new Netflix shows like Narcos, and original series like Orange Is The New Black available, alongside live action from the Barclays Premier League and UEFA Champions League and Europa League. We’re delighted to be offering our customers a wide range of incredible Ultra HD content with the convenience of a single bill.“

At this point we should point out that BT TV’s own 4K content requires an Internet download speed of 44Mbps (may exclude quite a few BTInfinity / VDSL FTTC customers), even though the actual video stream itself may only run at 20-30Mbps (i.e. 44Mbps gives customers some headroom to do other things with their connection). Netflix itself recommends 25Mbps for 4K and you can of course still watch that content without a BT TV subscription.