F1 to test HDR TV broadcasts this season

Formula One is set to test HDR TV broadcasts over the next 12 months, according to F1 director of media rights Ian Holmes.

Speaking to Motorsport.com, Holmes revealed that the motor racing series will be looking to improve its coverage after updating its OTT subscription platform F1 TV.

Formula One sees HDR as particularly effective for motorsport due to its ability to track fast-moving objects more clearly. It also expects to see some of the latest broadcasting advancements on show at the Tokyo Olympics this summer.

“Of course, we’re looking at the development of that side of technology,” said Holmes. “One of the things that we’re specifically looking at - you mentioned 8K - is HDR, high dynamic range, which is very effective for fast-moving objects. We will be conducting tests this year, and that for us I think is potentially the next stage of an offering.

“We’ve also got to look at who could take it. If we had a feed tomorrow, there would be very few people who could take it. The other thing is sometimes you produce this wonderful technology, and the broadcasters have the ability [to show it], but people’s devices are not capable of taking it.

“There is a sweet spot. But that feed has got to be as good as it can be from every perspective. The Olympics always pushes the boat out a little bit, as it’s once every four years. Quite a lot of technology often comes through from that, so I’m quite interested, especially with it being in Japan, that’s always quite an interesting thing to pay attention to.

“But certainly for us, I think HDR is something that we’re quite excited about.”