Sky 3D to Launch in April

LONDON: Sky is to launch Sky 3D, Europe’s first dedicated 3D channel, in April, and is offering a preview of the new service on January 31 with the live broadcast of the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United.

The match will be filmed in 3D and broadcast over the Sky platform to select pubs around the U.K. and Ireland. The nine pubs have been outfitted with the first "3D Ready" TV sets to reach the U.K. and Ireland. Sky will roll out its 3D channel to hundreds of pubs from April, allowing football fans to experience Premier League matches in 3D each week.

Once 3D TVs reach the consumer market later this year, Sky will make Sky 3D available to all Sky+HD customers. Sky 3D works with all existing Sky+HD boxes and will initially be introduced at no extra cost to subscribers of Sky’s top TV package and the Sky HD pack. The channel will also be compatible with all 3D Ready TVs coming to the U.K. and Ireland this year, including models from Sony, Samsung, LG and Panasonic.

Jeremy Darroch, Sky’s chief executive, said: “3D is without doubt one of the most talked-about developments in television for many years. Sky has always innovated to bring customers the best possible viewing experience, so we fully intend to take the lead in bringing the spectacle of 3D to the U.K. and Ireland.”  

Gerry O’Sullivan, Sky’s director of strategic product development, commented: “2010 is the year for 3D TV. People have already embraced 3D cinema and because Sky’s 3D service uses the same kind of technology, we’re confident there will be demand for sport, movies, concerts and drama in 3D. The good news is that all Sky+HD customers already have the set-top box they need to enjoy 3D, meaning they simply need to buy any new 3D TV, all of which will work seamlessly with Sky’s ground breaking new service.”

Barney Francis, the managing director of Sky Sports, added: “Sky Sports has a proud history of innovation, from the simple clock and scoreline in the comer of the screen through to high definition. It’s fitting that we’re pioneering this new, revolutionary development in broadcasting.”