3DTV gathers momentum in US
February 11, 2011
By Chris Forrester
DirecTV, the US pay-TV broadcaster, is to launch 3net this weekend on February 13. 3net brings ‘the best of the best’ in 3DTV with content coming from Discovery, IMAX and Sony.
On opening night, the channel will show China Revealed, Into the Deep 3D and Forgotten Planet. DirecTV promises that it will debut a new show every evening on the channel. Promised for the future is Hubble 3D from IMAX and NASA, and The Qube in 3D, from Sony. Discovery’s Wildebeest Migration, plus Walking on the Moon 3D; Space Station 3D; and The Haunted are all in the schedule.
DirecTV already carries Panasonic-sponsored n3D, and a 3D movies-on-demand service. Additionally ESPN has a 3D programme block which coincidentally goes 24-hour from February 14.
“Quality 3D programming is vital to the success and increased adoption of the technology, and with industry leaders like Discovery, Sony and IMAX making a commitment to this category, it is clear that 3D is here to stay and is only going to get better,” Derek Chang, DirecTV executive vice president of content strategy and development, said. “We are excited to be the first distributor to announce the launch of 3net and we look forward to continuing to provide our customers with the largest and most compelling 3D programming line-up available.”
DirecTV does not charge extra for its 3D transmissions