New 3D TV network announced

  Three longtime figures in the TV and film industry recently announced plans for a new 24/7 3D TV network to be launched in the first quarter of 2013.  The channel, called A3N, has licensed technology for a glasses-free 3D transmission technology.  It is thought that programming will consist primarily of movies - one of the principles, Elvin Feltner, spent decades amassing a private collection of more than 4,000 independent films and TV shows.
  Looking into the Feltner collection, however, raises some concerns about the content and its viability for 3D.  Press reports claim that much of the Feltner collection was "rescued" in 2010 by Film Chest, a company that specializes in film storage, restoration, and digitization of films.  Film Chest claims it also owns the rights to the rescued films.  In addition, few of the independent films of the era were available in 3D, and its unclear whether the Feltner archive owns those versions or the standard versions.  It also seems unlikely that if and when Feltner acquired the rights to those films, they explicitly included the network and global licensing rights.  While he may have bought the films and "all rights", the US courts are currently considering whether licensing rights to new related distribution formats are included implicitly with more general licensing rights, or must be explicitly licensed.
  I hope that things work out for A3N - the industry needs more channels and content, as well as settling on a specific technological standard. 

Source - Plans in Place for New U.S. 3D Network,  Promaxbda daily brief

Fulltime 3D channel out at DirecTV

A while back, DirecTV had partnered with Panasonic to launch a trio of 3D channels, one of which promised to be full-time (24/7) channel carrying nothing but 3D programming.  However, it seems that DirecTV had trouble obtaining enough 3D programming to fill the 168 hours/week a full-time channel required.

"While 3D adoption continues to grow and more programming is being developed, DirecTV has decided to move n3D to a part-time channel," DirecTV said in a statement. The company noted that it still offers subscribers 3D programming from ESPN and 3net, the 3D channel owned by Discovery Communications, Sony and IMAX.

With a few exceptions, interest in producing 3D content for television seems to have declined.  Still, promoters are hopeful that advances in glasses-free 3D displays and ESPN's plan to shoot its 2014 NFL games in 3D will help to revive consumer interest in 3D.

Source DirecTV pulls plug on 24-hour 3D channel,  Fierce Cable

NBC will supply 3D from 2012 Olympics

NBC announced that it will partner with Panasonic to provide its cable and satellite affiliates with a 3D feed from this summer's 2012 Olympics from London.  The 3D feed will be available to any multichannel distributor that takes the full Olympics programming package, which includes live, taped, and on-demand programming on NBC and affiliated cable networks.

Sports programming in 3D has generally been a hit with audiences, but cutbacks in 3D programming availability are likely to have contributed to continuing disappointing sales of 3-D capable TV sets.  It's unclear at this point how much programming NBC will make available, or how much it will cost consumers.

Source -  NBC to supply cable and satellite affiliates with 3D feed from 2012 Summer Olympics,  FierceCable

3D-TV Technology In Sports

Post submitted by Austin Moyers -

   The first real strides in filming sports is underway. The attempts have not been so easy however. So far, the fast pace of the games have proved troublesome for the technology. However, as we all know, technology is always advancing.
  As it improves, people are starting to jump on board. The Rugby Union appointed 3DLive as Official 3D Broadcaster for the New Zealand tournament The Auckland-based company will deliver a live 3D feed of the Rugby World Cup 2011 Semi-Finals, Bronze Final and Final. The NFL first filmed a game in 3D back in 2008, but they had to beam the game into theatres. Can we get it on our 3D tv’s? Well just last year in England, a soccer match was beamed into nine different pubs, but that still isn’t the level that we are looking for. Well finally in 2010, the NHL was able to stream a game in 3D straight to the home. So now there is obvious advances.
  Now we’re seeing ESPN and other major networks start their own 3D channels. However some critics still don’t love it. There are numerous complaints about the technology not keeping up, and some angle shots are poor in 3D Is it just a passing fad?

Source -  Is 3D Technology Here to Stay in Sports Broadcasting?  Sportsnetworker.com

3-D on the move (literally)

From Brittney Goo:

3D Technology to Expand to Automobiles and AirplanesIt seems like everything is going 3D nowadays.  From movies to televisions to hand-held video game devices, 3D has taken the world by storm.  As if that were not enough, it appears as though media consumers will soon be able to experience 3D images while traveling.  MasterImage, a 3D technology company, is currently in the process of securing deals with automobile manufacturers and airlines.  In addition to being able to watch movies in 3D, travelers would no longer have to worry about wearing bulky, dorky-looking glasses in order to gain the complete 3D experience.  This is because MasterImage plans to install glasses-free 3D screens in luxury cars and passenger airplanes.  The glasses-free technology will not only change the way people travel, but it will also change the way people watch television and movies.  For individuals who wear glasses to correct their vision, this will relieve the burden of wearing two pairs of glasses that likely do not fit together comfortably.  Furthermore, this shows that the possibilities for 3D technology are no longer limited to the home or movie theater.  Travelers will be able to download 3D movies via Wifi to watch in their cars, which will definitely make long road trips more bearable for the entire family.

Check out this article to learn more: 
"MasterImage Eyeing Glasses-Free 3D Deals with Airlines, Auto Makers"  the Hollywood Reporter

DirecTV first with 3-D channel

A new 3-D television network launched Sunday on DirecTV.  The network , called 3net, is a joint effort of Discovery Communications, Sony, and Imax Corp, and will reach some 18 million households in the US.
Probably several hundred of them having 3-D TVs.

"3-D television network set to launch on DirecTV," Broadcast Newsroom.