Eurosport, Panasonic serve up 3D tennis
May 5, 2011
By Colin Mann
Panasonic, the Fédération Française de Tennis (FFT) and Eurosport have confirmed that the 2011 French Tennis Open, Roland Garros, is to be broadcast live in 3D into homes across Europe (excluding France). Following the success of the multi-day 3D broadcast of the 2010 tournament in European retail stores, Panasonic and the FFT have renewed and expanded their partnership. For the 2011 tournament, consumers will be able to enjoy live 3D grand slam tennis also from the comfort of their living rooms.
Distribution of Eurosport’s 3D French Open service will be assured by selected operators across Europe. Swisscom in Switzerland and Canal Digital, operating in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland, are just two of the featured partner operators so far.
Laurent Abadie, Chairman and CEO, Panasonic Europe, suggested that 2011 is the year that 3D technology will become mainstream. Laurent-Eric Le Lay, Eurosport Chairman and CEO, added that bringing the French Tennis Open live in 3D directly to consumers’ homes was the best way to demonstrate how the combination of compelling content and new technology greatly enhances sports viewing.