Super Bowl 2022 in 4K isn't happening — and here's who to blame

A hand holds a remote in front of a TV with the NFL logo on it
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Anyone who's bought a big 4K TV with dreams of watching Super Bowl 2022 live streams on it in crystal-clear Ultra HD has the same problem. You won't be able to watch Super Bowl 2022 in 4K (or see all of the Super Bowl 2022 commercials in UHD either). Yes, no matter if you're a cord-cutter or still paying for cable, or someone watching from across the pond, we've all got to deal with the same problem.

That problem? The National Broadcasting Company, aka NBC. The sole distributor (at least in the U.S.) for the 2022 Winter Olympic games has failed to deliver on modern UHD streams. And anyone familiar with NBC's NFL coverage shouldn't be surprised that no part of the game, or even the Super Bowl Halftime Show 2022, will max out at 1080p.

News of NBC's failings broke from The Verge, which quoted Dan Masonson, a spokesperson for NBC Sports, as saying "The game will not be in 4K." No matter how smart your TV is, even if it's one of the best 4K TVs, you're still going to be faking the funk. 

When will the Super Bowl go 4K?

In an era when Disney Plus lets you watch the Marvel movies in 4K, and Netflix Originals are in UHD if you pay more, it's weird that the biggest TV event of the year is still topping out at 1080p.

The Super Bowls in 2021 and 2020, by the way, weren't in 4K either. CBS didn't have 4K ready for Super Bowl LV, and blamed Covid-19 (just like everyone who blamed all their new year's resolutions on the ongoing pandemic). Fox recorded Super Bowl LIV in 1080p and HDR and then upscaled it to 4K, which means anyone who thinks they saw a Super Bowl in true 4K was misinformed.

Where to watch the Super Bowl

Super Bowl on Sling TV ($35 per month)
Super Bowl on Peacock ($5 per month)
Super Bowl on Hulu ($70 per month)

It's not like the public doesn't have good reason to expect the Super Bowl LVI in 4K, either. NBC broadcast some of the Tokyo Olympics in 4K last year, but it was available only for some events and not on Peacock, NBC Universal's streaming service, which will also stream Super Bowl 2022.

Super Bowl 2023, aka Super Bowl LVII, will give us a possible 4K version of the big game. That's because rights for Super Bowl 2023 return to Fox (as the big game rotates between it, NBC and CBS each year), and Fox has been providing 4K streams of select sporting events, according to Sports Video Group News.

Until then, check out our cord-cutter's guide for Super Bowl 2022, to learn about all the options for watching the big game in the U.S., as well as our guide on this year's  Super Bowl TV deals.

We've also posted our guide on how to watch Super Bowl 2022 on Sling TV.

TOPICS
Henry T. Casey
Managing Editor (Entertainment, Streaming)

Henry is a managing editor at Tom’s Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past seven years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He's also covered the wild world of professional wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.

Read more
Watch Super Bowl 2024 in 4K
How to watch today's Super Bowl 2025 in 4K online
Samsung Q60D QLED TV on console in living room
Here's why more sports games aren't broadcast in 4K — but streaming might have the answer
Super Bowl channel
This is the only way to watch Super Bowl 2025 without lag
Amazon Fire TV Stick (2020) review
Super Bowl 2025 on Fire TV Stick: How to watch Chiefs vs Eagles for free
Patrick Mahomes vs Jalen Hurts in Super Bowl 2025
Xfinity TV customers just got a huge upgrade for watching Super Bowl 2025
TCL QM8 on wall in living room
7 best TVs for Super Bowl 2025 — our top picks and lowest prices
Latest in Sports
Jack Draper in action at Indian Wells 2025
How to watch Indian Wells men’s and women’s finals: live stream tennis online
Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan pitches during a game at Tokyo Dome ahead of the MLB Tokyo 2025
MLB Tokyo 2025 live stream: How to watch Dodgers vs Cubs series from anywhere
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain runs for the ball in his Quarterfinal round match during the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California
Indian Wells 2025 men’s semi-finals live stream: how to watch tennis online
Iga Swiatek of Poland in action in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden in March, 2025.
Indian Wells women’s semi-finals: how to watch tennis live streams online and on TV
Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg in February 2025
Liverpool vs Newcastle live stream: how to watch today's Carabao Cup final online and on TV, team news
Tino Livramento passes the ball during a Premier League match in March 2025
Everton vs West Ham live stream: How to watch the Premier League game online and on TV, team news
Latest in News
Erin Doherty as Briony Ariston and Owen Cooper as Jamie Miller in "Adolescence" on Netflix
Netflix just got a gripping crime drama show that’s already hit No. 1 — and it’s 100% on Rotten Tomatoes
Leslie Bibb in The White Lotus season 3
Last night's 'White Lotus' cameo is less surprising than you think
Garmin Fenix 8 Sleep
New data reveals the average Garmin sleep score — do you sleep better or worse than most people?
A YouTuber holding the leaked Pixel 9a
Google Pixel 9a just fully leaked in new YouTube video — here's everything it reveals
iOS 19 logo on an iPhone
iOS 19's big redesign is tipped to bring a whole new look and unite all of Apple's devices — and pave the way for a foldable iPhone
iPhone 16 Pro Max shown in hand
Forget iPhone 17 — the iPhone 18 could be the first phone with under-display Face ID