British satellite service BSkyB launches the first full-time 3D channel in Europe this weekend, Sky3D, with Panasonic on board as the first sponsor.
The network’s primary opening weekend programming for the new channel, which is offered at no extra charge to HiDef channel subscribers, is live coverage of the Ryder Cup golf tournament in England. Golf has proven to be one of the sports that best showcases the advantages of the depth perspective of 3D.
3D movies, repeats of other 3D programs, including U.S. sports events such as the recent U.S. Open, and additional live sports programs will fill the schedule of the network that began operating in April with sporadic soccer matches and other sporting and promotional 3D events as ESPN 3D has been doing in the U.S. during the same period.
According to The Guardian, Panasonic says the company’s 3D TV campaign for Viera 3D sets this fall, which is also in 3D, is the largest it has ever launched targeting Christmas shoppers.
Panasonic, which is the sponsor of DirecTV’s n3D channel in the U.S. and has sponsored first-time 3D events here such as the U.S. Open, is sponsor of films on Sky3D such as DreamWorks’ “Monsters vs. Aliens,” which is being offered exclusively on 3D Blu-ray in the U.S. with Samsung 3D TVs, as well as “Ice Age,” “My Bloody Valentine,” and “Fly Me To The Moon.”
A selection of Premier League soccer matches are slated to be available in 3D later this month and in November, including Manchester City vs Arsenal, and Liverpool vs Chelsea, along with the annual Rugby Union autumn internationals featuring nations including England, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.
— By Scott Hettrick