Manufacturers and retailers commonly offer deals on various TV models to entice you to upgrade and watch the Super Bowl on a beautiful new screen. However, they won’t tell you your current TV is already good enough to watch the big game!
1
Your TV Has 1080p or 4K Resolution
Most modern TVs have at least 1080p resolution, as prices have decreased over the past years while display resolutions have increased. Nowadays, you can get budget TVs with 4K resolution for less than $300, like TCL’s 55-inch Q65. So, if you bought your TV in the last decade with at least 1080p resolution or is classified as a Full HD (FHD) TV, you don’t need an upgrade to watch the game.
And even better, if you have a unit advertised as 4K or Ultra HD (UHD), you are set despite the Super Bowl being one of the best times to purchase a new TV. Our article on the difference between FHD and UHD can help clarify if you’re unsure about the two. The second reason you will do fine with your current 1080p or 4K TV is the quality at which the game is filmed.
2
The Super Bowl Is Produced at 1080p
You may have seen articles offering ways to watch the Super Bowl for free at 4K, but don’t be fooled. The game is produced in 1080p. However, broadcasters upscale this footage to 4K using content upscaling, which converts lower-resolution content to a higher resolution.
So, regardless of where you watch the game, you won’t get a true native 4K experience, which is superior to the upscaled 1080p content. With this limitation in mind, as long as you have an FHD or UHD TV, you can enjoy the Super Bowl without splurging on a new TV, as it won’t significantly improve your experience.
As one of the biggest sporting events in the US, the urge to upgrade your TV just for the Super Bowl might be tempting, but it might be pointless. Since the Super Bowl is produced at 1080p, you’re set as long as your current TV has at least 1080p resolution.
Don’t fall into the temptation to upgrade when your TV already meets the requirements—spend the money on Super Bowl snacks instead!
