Posts Tagged ‘3D TV Channels’

Comcast’s new 3D channel is open for business

Despite a slower than expected race to adopt 3D TV in the home, content providers are still pushing to get as much 3D material out there as possible, and that move just took a big step forward with Comcast’s own 24/7 3D channel.

The network, Xfinity 3D, airs movies, sports, and music concerts, all filmed with high-tech 3D cameras and presented over the highest fidelity cable signal possible.

Comcast’s first major 3D broadcast was last year when it, along with every other major cable provider, presented the Master’s golf tournament. For some TV carriers, that was pretty much the only piece of 3D content that’s aired in the last year. For others, like DirecTV, it was only the beginning.

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China TV Stations Lack 3D Channels

During the 2011 Spring Festival, Dragon TV launched 3D programs. Meanwhile, 3net, a 3D TV network jointly sponsored by Discovery Communications, Sony Corporation and IMAX, started broadcasting from February 13, 2011. However, none of the domestic TV stations express the intention to open 3D channels.

3D channels are rare in China but mature abroad. In the US, satellite TV service provider DIRECTV teams up with Panasonic in the opening of 3D channels. ESPN under the aegis of The Walt Disney Company announces that it will launch a 3D sports channel this year.

As early as mid 2010, there were rampant talks saying that China’s domestic 3D channels will start broadcasting latest in 2011. By far, TV stations in nearly ten provinces and municipalities have applied for the opening of 3D channels.

Avatar has impressed Chinese audiences with its 3D effect. However, they are disappointed with the 3D programs of Dragon TV, which they have anticipated for a long time.

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ACMA’s 3D TV conclusion: further consideration

The ACMA has completed its review of trials of 3D TV undertaken in 2010 and says it will consider authorising further short duration trials, but will aim to ensure that consumers are not duped, as happened in the previous trials.

Any trials will take place in currently unassigned digital television channels, part of the so-called ‘digital dividend’ and this spectrum will be available only until a decision on the future of the digital dividend spectrum is taken, and implemented.

Later in 2011, the ACMA will review its approach to the use of temporary spectrum, as the requirements for the restacking of existing television channels become clearer and the opportunity to use these vacant channels begins to close.

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A 3D TV-ipping Point?

On Sunday, ’3net’ launched in 18 million homes from Discovery, Sony and Imax.

And on Monday, as a Valentine’s gift to sports fans, ESPN launched on DirecTV, Comcast and Time Warner Cable. This brings the total number of 3D networks to three, including DirecTV’s ‘N3d’ channel, launched last year in partnership with Panasonic.

Three dedicated 3D networks don’t sound too shabby, but truth is, the 3D TV business has been much slower to launch than many had hoped. Only one million 3D TVs were shipped to retailers last year, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. And the CEA predicts that at very most, 3 percent of homes will have 3D TVs by December.

Now that these 3D channels are on the air, will consumers start buying 3D TVs? Critics have said that the market lacks critical mass content needed take 3D TVs mainstream.

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3D TV from Sky and Virgin Media is here to stay

Although 3D TV services have only been available in the UK for a matter of months, the technology is moving on apace.

Readers may have spotted a piece from Broadband TV News earlier this week that reported Sky and Virgin Media – the two broadcasters that offer content in three glorious dimensions – are beavering away on creating 3D versions of their electronic programme guides.

While this may not sound like the most thrilling of developments, it is another example of the digital TV giants’ commitment to working on their 3D propositions.

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Sky 3D improving all the time

Sky is always adding new content to its recently launched 3D channel, with this week seeing the pay TV giant unveiling plans to screen the first-ever live broadcast of an opera in three dimensions.

The English National Opera’s production of Lucrezia Borgia, directed by Mike Figgis of Leaving Las Vegas fame, will be yet another string to the bow of the innovative digital TV station when it airs on February 23rd.

Any fears that the channel would be exclusively the preserve of Premier League football and golf tournaments have been put to bed, with Sky ensuring it offers something for everyone.

Movies such as Toy Story 3 and Bolt 3D have been screened, with the likes of Alice in Wonderland and Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs to come later this month.

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3D channels under wraps at Discovery and National Geographic

Discovery is set to launch a 3D channel in the US in January 2011, but there’s no date set for launching in the UK.

That’s despite the channel having a UK broadcast licence for the Discovery 3D channel since August.

John Honeycutt, Discovery Communications US’s chief technology office, told TV trade mag Broadcast: ‘We have always been a technologically innovative company, but we also need to time a 3D launch for when the market is right.’

No show at Nat Geo

National Geographic is only making a small number of 3D programmes for use on other channels, like Sky 3D.

‘We see ourselves as a content provider rather than a channel provider when it comes to 3D,’ said Simon Bohrsmann, general manager of National Geographic.

He told Broadcast: ‘We are on lots of different platforms around the world, some of which are experimenting with 3D, and we want to be part of that.’

source: http://3dradar.techradar.com/3d-tv/3d-channels-under-wraps-discovery-and-national-geographic-07-10-2010

ESPN 3D to launch on Time Warner

ESPN 3D will be coming to Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks cable systems as part of a wide-ranging long-term agreement announced today between Time Warner and Disney/ABC Television Group and ESPN.

Time Warner agreed to launch ESPN 3D along with the new Disney Junior channel coming in 2012 and renews carriage of many other networks such as ABC Family, Disney Channel, Disney XD, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, ESPN Classic, ESPN Deportes, and SOAPnet, as well as WABC in New York, KABC in Los Angeles, WTVD in Raleigh-Durham-Fayetteville, WTVG in Toledo, and associated HD cable networks.

The deal also includes delivery of digital video-on-demand and online services such as ESPN3.com.

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