ESPN, Discovery push 3-D TV
By The Associated Press
January 05, 2010, 7:42PM
NEW YORK (AP) -- Two major cable networks -- ESPN and Discovery -- said today they plan to start beaming 3-D entertainment into peoples' homes for the first time.
Riding what could be one of the next big waves in consumer electronics, ESPN said it will have a 3-D channel for broadcasting live sports events in time for the FIFA World Cup soccer match on June 11. The channel will not operate 24 hours a day, but plans at least 85 live events in its first year.
Separately, Discovery Communications Inc., which owns Discovery, TLC and other cable channels, said it will partner with Imax Corp. and Sony Corp. to bring out its own full-time 3-D network in 2011.
It's yet to be seen whether 3-D can make inroads in the home. For viewers it will likely mean buying new TV sets and wearing 3-D glasses.
But enthusiasm for the new technology has been building across the industry, with electronics makers, cable and satellite companies and content providers betting that they can get consumers to shell out for new TVs and channels. They hope 3-D blockbusters such as James Cameron's "Avatar," still strong in its third week in theaters, can get enough people excited about characters popping off the screen.
Last year, 3-D films took in more than $1 billion at box offices worldwide. And major electronics makers such as Sony Corp. and Panasonic Corp. are planning to market 3-D-capable TVs this year.
By The Associated Press
January 05, 2010, 7:42PM
NEW YORK (AP) -- Two major cable networks -- ESPN and Discovery -- said today they plan to start beaming 3-D entertainment into peoples' homes for the first time.
Riding what could be one of the next big waves in consumer electronics, ESPN said it will have a 3-D channel for broadcasting live sports events in time for the FIFA World Cup soccer match on June 11. The channel will not operate 24 hours a day, but plans at least 85 live events in its first year.
Separately, Discovery Communications Inc., which owns Discovery, TLC and other cable channels, said it will partner with Imax Corp. and Sony Corp. to bring out its own full-time 3-D network in 2011.
It's yet to be seen whether 3-D can make inroads in the home. For viewers it will likely mean buying new TV sets and wearing 3-D glasses.
But enthusiasm for the new technology has been building across the industry, with electronics makers, cable and satellite companies and content providers betting that they can get consumers to shell out for new TVs and channels. They hope 3-D blockbusters such as James Cameron's "Avatar," still strong in its third week in theaters, can get enough people excited about characters popping off the screen.
Last year, 3-D films took in more than $1 billion at box offices worldwide. And major electronics makers such as Sony Corp. and Panasonic Corp. are planning to market 3-D-capable TVs this year.
