ESPN lands new 3-D channel on Comcast cable systems
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
The nation’s largest cable operator, Comcast Corp., has jumped on the 3-D bandwagon.
Comcast is expected to announce Wednesday that it will offer ESPN 3D when it launches June 11 with coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The new network has pledged to carry a minimum of 85 live sporting events in its first year, including college football’s Atlantic Coast Conference championship game and the 2011 BCS National Championship Game.
ESPN announced its 3-D plans at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show and worked with Comcast on delivering a 3-D broadcast of the Masters Golf Tournament. Comcast subscribers who want ESPN 3D will have to pay a little extra for it as it will likely be on a specialty tier. Eventually, as more 3-D channels emerge, cable operators will likely create a package just of networks that require special glasses.
‘We delivered the first live national 3-D sports event to consumers’ homes earlier this year with the Masters tournament and believe that 3-D sports will drive the adoption of this technology and continue to revolutionize how we deliver entertainment,’ said Comcast Chief Executive Brian L. Roberts, in a statement.
The network has a reputation for being among the early adopters of new technologies. ESPN launched a high-definition channel in 2003 as awareness of the technology had reached most American consumers and prices of the new sets had begun to decline.
‘This agreement demonstrates ESPN’s and Comcast’s shared commitment to bring the latest viewing experience to sports fans,’ said ESPN and ABC Sports President George Bodenheimer in a statement.
This time around, ESPN was motivated by two factors: the breakthrough box-office performance of the 3-D film ‘Avatar,’ which indicated the viewer acceptance for a type of filmmaking that had been disparaged as gimmickry; and the desire of television manufacturer Sony Electronics to bring 3-D screens into the home. Sony is an official sponsor of the network.
ESPN has been refining techniques for broadcasting live sporting events in 3-D and determining the proper camera angle to maximize the effect. The network is showing off its 3-D broadcasts on the floor of the cable show this week in Los Angeles.
-- Dawn C. Chmielewski