ESPN and Discovery to Debut 3-D Channels
Discovery Channel, ESPN
ESPN and Discovery Channel are about to take it to the next dimension.
The two cable stations announced Tuesday they plan to start 3-D TV networks.
ESPN will debut their 3-D channel — called ESPN 3D — by summer, followed by Discovery Channel's 3-D premiere in 2011. Discovery is teaming up with Sony and IMAX for the yet unnamed station.
ESPN plans to kick-off the new channel on June 11 with the first 2010 FIFA World Cup match, between South Africa and Mexico. The World Cup match will be followed by 85 live 3-D sporting events during the first year on the air. Programming will also include the 2011 college football championship game, 25 World Cup matches, the Summer X games and select college football and basketball games.
Both network claims theirs to be the first 3-D channel but while ESPN may start sooner, that channel will go black between 3-D scheduled programming, Discovery will be the first 24/7 3-D channel, according to the trade paper.
Besides wearing 3-D glasses, couch potatoes will need a 3-D-capable TV set and possibly a new set-top box to watch the content. There was no word on whether viewers will have to pay a premium for the content.
Are you excited for ESPN and Discovery in 3-D?