The NBA showdown between the Toronto Raptors and the Orlando Magic became the first ever live match to be shown publicly in 4K with the NBA teaming up with BT Sport and Rogers to deliver the broadcast.

Available for fans to view on BT Sport’s Ultra High Definition channel in the UK and on Rogers 4K in Canada, the broadcast signals the NBA’s next step to improve the experience for fans watching at home after showing great interest in broadcasting games through VR.

Produced by BT Sport, the broadcast used a state-of-the-art production truck as well as specially designed 4K cameras located throughout the arena.

Last year, the NBA became the first professional sports league to capture a game in 4K, once again at a game played during the NBA Global Games in London. However that broadcast was only available to a select few made up of an invite-only list of NBA and BT Sport executives.

Executive Vice President of Operations and Technology Steve Hellmuth said that the step was about bringing the best quality to the fans, making them feel as if they were in the stadium.

“We are thrilled to team with BT Sport and Rogers to bring fans the first NBA game broadcast live in 4K,” he said.

“We are always looking for new and innovative ways to bring our passionate fans closer to our game, and this groundbreaking 4K broadcast is a great opportunity to provide fans at home the sharpest look ever at the NBA.”

It remains to be seen whether games in the US are penned for broadcast in 4K as the technology is still very much developing. However, if this broadcast is determined as a success, there’s every chance it could be just around the corner.