Ryder Cup golf, Premier League football, Rugby internationals and the heavyweight title fight between David Haye and Audley Harrison all have a place in the schedules during the first few weeks of Sky 3D. The satcaster’s plans also include contributions from National Geographic and History.The channel will make its consumer launch on Friday October 1 having launched in pubs on Easter Saturday.
Movies will also be screened, including Ice Age; Dawn of the Dinosaurs, which will premier during the launch weekend, Monsters vs Aliens, Alice in Wonderland, Bolt, Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs and My Bloody Valentine.
Echoing an earlier announcement by Virgin Media, a number of movie titles will also be available on pay-per-view. These include StreetDance UK, Garfield’s Pet Force, Step Up 3 and A Christmas Carol.
There will also be original production, often commissioned by Sky, and including The Prince’s Trust Rock Gala, featuring performances from Sir Tom Jones, Eric Clapton and Brian May. Sky Arts will help showcase five dance styles over the launch weekend from Bollywood to Ballet.
Third party channels are also involved, National Geographic Channel’s 3D Meerkats will see the popular creatures well away from the car insurance business and in their naturual habitat. The History Channel has produced the 7 Wonders of the Universe, a one-hour show debuting in October.
John Cassy, Sky’s 3D channel director said the launch would change the way entertainment was viewed. “We see 3D as event TV, an opportunity for people to share an incredible visual experience in their home.”
Sky 3D is available to Sky’s top tier subscribers – those receiving all six entertainment packs, Sky Sports and Sky Movies as well as the HD pack.
The channel is compatible with all of the 3DTVs currently being introduced by LG, Sony, Samsung and Panasonic, working with both active and passive formats. Reception is possible on the installed base of three million Sky+ HD set-top boxes.
