ESPN has announced that it plans to launch the industry’s first 3D network in the US before the summer.
Coinciding with a separate announcement from Discovery Communications, ESPN 3D will showcase a minimum of 85 live sporting events during its first year, beginning June 11, 2010 with the first 2010 FIFA World Cup match, featuring South Africa vs. Mexico, ESPN and ABC Sports, said president George Bodenheimer.
Other events to be produced in 3D include the 2011 BCS National Championship Game, college basketball and football contests, up to 25 World Cup matches and the Summer X Games. Additional events will be announced at a later date.
“ESPN’s commitment to 3D is a win for fans and our business partners,” Bodenheimer said in a statement. “ESPN 3D marries great content with new technology to enhance the fan’s viewing experience and puts ESPN at the forefront of the next big advance for TV viewing.”
ESPN has been testing ESPN 3D for more than two years, even showing a USC-Ohio State college football game in select theatres and to 6,000 fans at the Galen Center on USC’s campus.
