We’ve had golf, soccer, NASCAR, and baseball in 3D. Are you ready for some football?
The first NFL game in 3D will be broadcast by Verizon Communications’ FiOS TV for customers in parts of New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Rhode Island when the New England Patriots take on the New York Giants at 7 p.m. ET Sept. 2 in a preseason game in New Jersey. Coverage begins at 6:45 p.m., with Verizon FiOS1 pre-game, half-time and post-game shows – all in 3D.
Because so few people have 3DTVs, Verizon is hosting customer viewing parties at New Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey and at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Among the 600 invited guests at Gillette Stadium will be youngsters from local Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
Verizon also is working with two popular sports bars in the New York and New England markets — Slate Bar in Manhattan and Snookers in Providence, R.I. The company will set up 3D TVs at each location and hold promotional events there.
“This is the next major step in our development of 3D experiences for our FiOS TV customers,” Terry Denson, vice president of content strategy and acquisition for Verizon, said in a statement.
Verizon FiOS1 is producing the 3D broadcast, which will be shown on FiOS Channel 834 for FiOS TV subscribers in the New York City area, including Long Island and Westchester and Rockland counties, as well as for subscribers in northern New Jersey, Mercer County, N.J., Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Similar to previously offered 3D programming from Verizon, customers must have 3D TV sets, 3D glasses and a high-definition set-top box to view the broadcast.
The on-air broadcast team includes play-by-play announcer Spero Dedes, analyst Howard Cross and sideline reporter Kimberly Jones.
“The Giants are excited to host the first 3D broadcast of an NFL Game in our new stadium,” said Giants Chief Marketing Officer Mike Stevens.
On July 10 and 11 Verizon broadcast the first Major League Baseball games in 3D between the New York Yankees and the Seattle Mariners. And on July 15 Verizon announced that it will carry 3D programming on FiOS TV Video on Demand from WealthTV.