So how’s everyone liking Paramount+ so far?

[don't ask]

Yea, it's typically in 1080p (upscaled from the 1080i native broadcast) and in SDR.

It sucks but makes sense since both UFC and NFL content on Paramount+ use the same streaming infrastructure.

Hopefully sports in America can catchup to the rest of the world - FIFA, Formula 1, Olympics, Wimbledon - all broadcast events in 4K HDR.

They're streaming in 1080i? That's insane. There's no way they're shooting in 1080i in 2025.

 

[Kung Fu Kowboy]

This happened to me in a public bathroom once

 

[Substance Abuse]

Are you The Oracle?

I've been using it for longer than he has for football, lol.

 

[VinceArch]

 

[markg171]

Yea, it's typically in 1080p (upscaled from the 1080i native broadcast) and in SDR.

It sucks but makes sense since both UFC and NFL content on Paramount+ use the same streaming infrastructure.

Hopefully sports in America can catchup to the rest of the world - FIFA, Formula 1, Olympics, Wimbledon - all broadcast events in 4K HDR.

The funny thing is even if you are paying for this quality most people leave their TV on its automatic settings where their "sport setting" will have a blur effect due to increased motion settings. Even without anything else like not even being able to handle refresh rates or shit.

The vast majority of people need to adjust their TV settings, not their stream.

 

[Kung Fu Kowboy]

 

[HNIC215]

They're streaming in 1080i? That's insane. There's no way they're shooting in 1080i in 2025.

Yea, it is crazy. Fuckin bullshit if you ask me.

They are too cheap to upgrade their legacy infrastructure.

I'll let AI explain it faster than me lol

CBS (and most major US broadcast networks like NBC) use 1080i (interlaced) for NFL games and other live programming primarily due to legacy infrastructure decisions made during the transition to high-definition TV in the late 1990s and early 2000s, combined with bandwidth constraints in over-the-air (ATSC 1.0) and cable/satellite distribution. Historical and Technical Reasons

• When HD standards were set, broadcasters had to choose between 1080i (higher resolution: 1920x1080 lines but interlaced—sending odd lines then even lines alternately, effectively 30 full frames per second) and 720p (lower resolution: 1280x720 lines, but progressive—full frames at 60 per second).
• Networks like CBS and NBC picked 1080i because it provided superior detail for static or slower-moving content (e.g., scripted shows, news, studio programming), which made up much of their lineup at the time.
• Fox and ABC/ESPN chose 720p because progressive scan handles fast motion better (less artifacts like combing or blur in sports), which suited their heavier sports focus.
• 1080p60 (full 1920x1080 progressive at 60 fps) was not practical then—it would require roughly double the bandwidth of 1080i or 720p, and equipment/transmitters were expensive and not widely supported.

Bandwidth and Distribution Constraints

• US over-the-air broadcast (ATSC 1.0 standard) limits channels to about 19 Mbps per station. 1080i and 720p fit efficiently within this (using MPEG-2 compression), allowing room for subchannels (e.g., weather, retro TV).
• Switching to 1080p would demand more bitrate for the same quality, potentially requiring advanced compression (like H.264/HEVC) that older systems don't fully support, or reducing other channels.
• Cable/satellite providers and local affiliates inherit the network feed, so they transmit in 1080i too. Even modern productions often capture in 1080p HDR internally but down convert to 1080i for broadcast transmission.

Current Status (as of 2026)

• Production has evolved: CBS now captures most NFL games in 1080p HDR (with more cameras and better quality), but transmission remains 1080i to maintain compatibility and bandwidth efficiency.
• Streaming on Paramount+ simulcasts the broadcast feed, so it's typically 1080p (deinterlaced/upscaled from the 1080i source), but not native higher than that for live games.
• True 1080p or 4K broadcast is emerging slowly via ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV) in some markets, but adoption is limited, and CBS hasn't widely used it for regular NFL games.

In short, it's a mix of historical lock-in (expensive to overhaul nationwide infrastructure) and practical efficiency (1080i delivers good quality within existing limits). Modern TVs deinterlace 1080i excellently, so the difference from native 1080p is often minimal for most viewers—especially compared to compression artifacts or bitrate issues.

Once you go 4K HDR - it's difficult to go back and watch lower bitrate content.

A lot of people have no clue about this kind of stuff, but I’m a tech junkie who’s really into home theaters and resolution.

 

[HNIC215]

The funny thing is even if you are paying for this quality most people leave their TV on its automatic settings where their "sport setting" will have a blur effect due to increased motion settings. Even without anything else like not even being able to handle refresh rates or shit.

The vast majority of people need to adjust their TV settings, not their stream.

Yea, most people leave factory defaults.

You'd be surprised how many TVs I calibrated over the years for friends and family.

It is what it is though, no judgement from me.

Some people just don't care about picture quality. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

My wife is like that, so long as it's HD (720p) she's perfectly fine with it.

 

[don't ask]

OMG that poor woman! I shouldn't be laughing, but I'm howling out loud right now, probably sound like a werewolf

 

[Kung Fu Kowboy]

OMG that poor woman! I shouldn't be laughing, but I'm howling out loud right now, probably sound like a werewolf

Here was @helax last night coming back from a hockey game

 

[don't ask]

Yea, it is crazy. Fuckin bullshit if you ask me.

They are too cheap to upgrade their legacy infrastructure.

I'll let AI explain it faster than me lol


Once you go 4K HDR - it's difficult to go back and watch lower bitrate content.

A lot of people have no clue about this kind of stuff, but I’m a tech junkie who’s really into home theaters and resolution.

I began working as a cameraman during the digital revolution and was slowly exiting it when the DSLR revolution was underway. I was there when 1080p cameras were suddenly available to consumers and didn't cost 10 grand.

Interlacing absolutely looks worst on fast-moving subjects -- that's when you really see that dreaded staircase effect. If they're counting on people's televisions to hide the problem with frame interpolation / motion smoothing, does that mean people watching on their computers or phones are going to see the raw, unaltered, atrocious-looking interlaced footage?

 

[HNIC215]

I began working as a cameraman during the digital revolution and was slowly exiting it when the DSLR revolution was underway. I was there when 1080p cameras were suddenly available to consumers and didn't cost 10 grand.

Interlacing absolutely looks worst on fast-moving subjects -- that's when you really see that dreaded staircase effect. If they're counting on people's televisions to hide the problem with frame interpolation / motion smoothing, does that mean people watching on their computers or phones are going to see the raw, unaltered, atrocious-looking interlaced footage?

Doubt it will be different for each platform. Most likely will be 1080i upscaled to 1080p everywhere.

 

[HNIC215]

 

[gentel]

(Gaethje vs Paddy interim as the first main event title fight of the year)/10

 

[Bobby Boulders]

I've been using it for longer than he has for football, lol.

I got a year for $12 a few years ago, spent two days watching Beavis and Butthead, was pissed off at the lack of music videos never used it again. Maybe a couple of Bellator cards. I heard that they're regaining the rights to everything they licensed out to other platforms, and moving forward it will be the only place to watch stuff that originated with them, so maybe a good time to jump back in, bc when Boondocks leaves HBO Max idk wtf I'd do, otherwise

 

[markg171]

Yea, most people leave factory defaults.

You'd be surprised how many TVs I calibrated over the years for friends and family.

It is what it is though, no judgement from me.

Some people just don't care about picture quality. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

My wife is like that, so long as it's HD (720p) she's perfectly fine with it.

I bought and adjusted a modest "decent" 4k TV for the treadmill my parents had that was much better than their much older like 720p TVs in the living room and den.

They complained they didn't like the picture quality instead of complaining about their previous TVs quality lol.

At a certain point you need to accept that what people LIKE is more important than what's technically better. I do think that the 8K barrier is "there" as starting to get "weird" but more specs =/= more likes

 

[Hymen Crusher]

I have had paramount since they brought it out a few years ago. I always got it on some deal so my son can watch nick. Its been good haven't had any problems with streaming

 

[VinceArch]

 

[BEATDOWNS]

Was it the guy who did Suga Sean's face tattoo?

It fucking drives me crazy that we are on season 17 and these noobs still come on the show and say shit like I don't do traditional, I don't do black and gray, I don't do Portraits!!! Like what he fuck did you think you were signing up for?!


make me want to throw my remote at the wall.

 

[BEATDOWNS]

I've been using it for longer than he has for football, lol.