Versus & Verizon Offer First 3D Televised College Football Game

NEW YORK: This Saturday, Versus will broadcast the first live 3D college football game to Verizon FiOS TV subscribers across the U.S.

Versus will produce and broadcast the game, a match-up between Oregon and Cal at Berkley starting at 7:30 p.m. The Versus 3D telecast is available to all FiOS TV customers who have a 3D set, 3D glasses and an HD set-top box.

The broadcast will feature a separate production crew and equipment from the traditional HD game production. The network will have multiple 3D cameras placed strategically around the field, providing camera angles not usually seen during 2D telecasts, as well as a completely different on-air team of announcers and reporters. Wayne Larrivee, who currently calls games for the Green Bay Packers, will handle play-by-play commentary for the 3D telecast. He will be joined by former NFL quarterback Erik Kramer along with Heidi Androl reporting from the sidelines.Versus  will also produce an HD telecast of the game, with Ron Thulin serving as the play-by-play announcer, Glenn Parker providing color commentary and Lewis Johnson reporting from the sidelines.

"Verizon is taking the next step in 3D programming for our FiOS TV customers, with the first televised 3D college football game," said Tricia Lynch, the senior programming executive for Verizon. "With several other 3D broadcasts this year and the upcoming selection of 3D video-on-demand movies, our customers will experience 3D at its best, with the advanced picture quality and sound that FiOS delivers."

Marc Fein, the executive VP of programming, production and business operations for Versus, added, "We’re thrilled that our initial entry into 3D production will feature a Pac-10 matchup with the top-ranked college football team in the country. We saw this game as the perfect opportunity to showcase new technology and create an unbelievable viewing experience for fans."