3NET gets into production
October 17, 2012
By Chris Forrester
3net, the US-based joint venture between Sony, Discovery and IMAX, is getting into the studio business. Officially, 3Net, which broadcasts a dedicated 3D-TV channel across North America and sells – and buys 3D programming around the world, is forming 3net Studios which will be based at Sony Pictures in Culver City, Los Angeles and at Discovery’s HQ in Silver Spring, Maryland, just outside Washington DC.
3net’s intention is to employ a new production technique, employing 3D in 4K, 2D in 4K, 3D in 2K as well as 3D and 2D HDTV formats. In other words, to generate new content with a definite bias towards ‘future proofing’ its output for next-generation technologies.
“From television, mobile, computer and tablet companies, to broadcast channels and digital content providers, the global demand for a high quality, native 3D programming pipeline has quickly become one of the most vital elements within the 3D ecosystem,” said Tom Cosgrove, 3net’s president/CEO. “With the industry now struggling to keep pace with the rapidly accelerating consumer demand for 3D programming across multiple platforms – and now with the evolution of 4K – the formation of a world class production studio to help fill both the 3D and ultra high definition content voids became a logical next step in our evolution as a global player in the entertainment arena.”
The studio says it will offer original, native 3D and 4K long form and short form content across a diverse spectrum of programming genres. The first slate of projects the company is producing under the 3net Studios banner will be announced in the coming weeks.