Peacock to Stream 2026 World Cup in Dolby Vision, Atmos; First to Deploy AC-4
Peacock will stream Telemundo's FIFA World Cup 2026 Spanish-language coverage in Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and Dolby AC-4, marking the first commercial deployment of Dolby AC-4 by a video streamer. This implementation, a result of joint engineering between Dolby Laboratories and NBCUniversal, aims to deliver enhanced visual and audio experiences for all 104 matches, leveraging AC-4's efficiency and personalization features. The platform also introduces new interactive features and a Spanish-language World Cup Hub.
Key Takeaways
- All 104 FIFA World Cup 2026 matches will be available with Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio.
- Peacock is the first streamer to commercially deploy Dolby AC-4, which offers up to 50% greater efficiency than traditional codecs.
- The platform will introduce a Spanish-language World Cup Hub, including interactive features like 'Visión de Campo' for vertical viewing and 'Multiview'.
- Dolby AC-4 enables audio personalization features such as dialogue enhancement for viewers.
- The Select tier of Peacock will get special access to the first eight World Cup group stage matches and other programming from June 11-13.
Why It Matters
Peacock's integration of Dolby Vision, Atmos, and AC-4 for live sports sets a new technical benchmark for streaming quality, emphasizing immersive audio and visuals. This move positions Peacock as a leader in high-fidelity sports streaming and could pressure other platforms to upgrade their live event delivery. The deployment of Dolby AC-4 highlights a focus on efficient, high-quality audio codecs for live content, indicating a potential broader industry shift towards more advanced audio technologies. Watch for competitor responses and adoption rates of AC-4 in forthcoming live sports broadcasts.
Additional Context
The decision by Peacock and NBCUniversal to implement Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos with Dolby AC-4 for the 2026 FIFA World Cup builds on earlier announcements from Dolby regarding broader integrations. In January 2026, NBCUniversal and Dolby Laboratories revealed that Peacock would be the first streaming platform to adopt Dolby's full suite of advanced picture and sound innovations, encompassing Dolby Vision 2 and Dolby AC-4 later that year (per NBCUniversal, January 2026). This wider partnership indicated a commitment to expand Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos across various live sports, including Sunday Night Football, NBA, and MLB, throughout 2026.
The official announcement for the World Cup integration specifically noted that the live feed on Peacock would be the first commercial deployment of the efficient Dolby AC-4 codec by a streaming service, with Peacock also confirmed to be streaming in 4K and 1080p HDR (per The Verge, June 2026). While initial reports mentioned personalized audio controls, a correction from a Dolby spokesperson clarified that these would not be offered at launch. The collaboration underscored over a year of joint engineering efforts to fine-tune Dolby Vision for live sports, combining Dolby's streaming tools with NBCUniversal's native HDR production expertise (per Sports Video Group, June 2026). This strategic investment by Peacock highlights an ongoing drive to differentiate live sports offerings through premium technical specifications amidst a competitive streaming landscape.
Read full article at tmbroadcast.com
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