Advanced Television

Sky drops 3D channel

April 27, 2015

By Chris Forrester

Sky UK is closing its dedicated 3D channel from June 9th, leaving viewers wanting 3D content having to download movies and programming via Sky’s on-demand service.

Closing the channel is expected to help create extra satellite bandwidth for Sky’s planned 4K service.

Sky’s brand director of TV Products, Luke Bradley-Jones explained: “From June, Sky 3D is going fully on demand. From the latest 3D movie premieres like Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men Days of Future Past and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, to the very best in natural history with documentaries like Natural History Museum Alive, it will all be ready and waiting for our customers to view whenever it suits them.”

Sky launched its dedicated 3D channel back in 2010, along with Sky Deutschland and Sky Italia. However, for Sky’s UK football fans the writing has been on the wall since the start of the 2014-15 season when Sky’s regular 3D football coverage became “more selective”. In July last year Sky changed its 3D broadcasting hours to an evening only service (7pm-1am) on Monday-Thursday, and all-day on weekends.

US sports network ESPN announced the end of its dedicated 3D channel in June 2013.

Sky’s new ‘on demand’ 3D service depends on Sky’s customers having a broadband connection. Sky UK is continuing to promote its “ground breaking” 3D service on its web-site.

Categories: Articles, Broadcast, DTH/Satellite, Pay TV, UHD