ESPN 4K HDR on Google TV disappoints early users
ESPN has expanded its 4K HDR streaming support to Google TV, following its initial launch on Apple TV last month. However, early reports from Google TV users suggest the experience is far from perfect, with complaints about choppy playback and HDR not functioning as expected.
A TCL Google TV owner noted in a Reddit thread that an ESPN app update added 4K HDR labels to supported content, but their TV never switched into HDR. Instead, the picture quality was reported as choppy rather than sharper. Another Android TV user described similar issues, including frequent pauses during 4K events.
The problems aren't limited to Google TV. Users on Apple TV, where ESPN's 4K HDR rollout began in September, also reported inconsistent triggering of 4K HDR. In contrast, Roku users seem to be having a better experience, with one commenter stating that ESPN's streams automatically trigger HDR across multiple Roku devices.
ESPN's 4K HDR lineup includes Monday Night Football, NBA and NHL games, select college football and US Open tennis events, and Super Bowl LVIII. The company had previously announced that more platforms would be added through the fall, making Google TV's inclusion a welcome development. However, for Google TV owners, the next step is ensuring the 4K HDR badge consistently delivers the promised picture quality.