Spanish regional public broadcaster Televisió de Catalunya (TV3) will show the UEFA Champions League final this weekend with Dolby Digital Plus audio.
The move to broadcasting with Dolby Digital Plus means it is one of the first terrestrial HDTV services in Spain to use the sophisticated audio system.
“The HD experience is all about the very best quality, and that not only means high-definition pictures but improved, high-definition audio as well,” said Amadeu Gasso, TV3’s Head of Projects. “TV3 viewers demand quality sound, especially if they have invested in a home theatre system, and the UEFA Champions League final is the perfect event to match superb HD images with cinematic Dolby 5.1 audio.”
The UEFA Champions League final takes place on Saturday (May 28) at Wembley Stadium, London, between Manchester United and Barcelona, and will be broadcast live to an estimated worldwide audience of more than 100 million. The Catalonian club recently secured a record-breaking third successive Spanish La Liga title, and its chance of winning the double will make the final particular interesting for the TV3 audience.
“We know how important this event is and have been working very closely with TV3 for some time as they have been developing their HD services and building toward the switch to Dolby Digital Plus audio,” said David Blasco, Regional Director, Southern Europe, Dolby Laboratories. “Dolby Digital Plus audio is already mandated in the Spanish digital terrestrial specification, so we are really excited to see TV3 make this move, as it demonstrates their determination to constantly innovate and deliver the best HD audio for this iconic sporting event. Dolby Digital Plus will ensure the most efficient delivery of the cinematic experience for TV3 viewers in their own homes.”
Earlier this year, TV3 announced it would be showing this year’s Formula 1 Motor Racing Championship in high definition, using Dolby Digital Plus to provide a discrete 5.1 surround sound experience for motor racing fans.
To date, Dolby Digital Plus, which can provide up to 7.1 channels of surround sound, has been included in more than 375 million products worldwide, including TVs, set-top boxes, Blu-ray players, audio/video receivers, and mobile phones.
