3D Programming and Channels
This year will definitely see the beginning of 3D programs. The Sky Network used the 3D movie Avatar to advertise Europe’s first 3D channel. The viewers can also expect to see 2010 Football World Cup in South Africa in 3D.
Media and technology experts however think that watching sports on 3D TV is indicative of the format’s limitations. The court has depth but the players are quite flat, like a few paper cutouts dribbling a ball back and forth instead of fully corporeal 6’6” titans. While promoting 3D through its glasses is clearly an attempt to get young people watching TV ‘the old fashioned way’, programming from the top-down once again.
The Canadian broadcasting companies are still not sure of the 3D TV and prefer to wait and see what others are doing. The President of cable provider Shaw Communications Inc. thinks that the 3D TV technology is quite hyped by the TV manufacturers. He thinks that the technology, glasses and the standards still have some issues. There is not enough 3D content available to sustain a channel, but when its available in near future the company will surely get in to 3D distribution. According to him sporting events would be the most popular 3D content.
3D movies could be the answer to fight against piracy as people would no longer be able to download 3D movies via internet that easily. 3D TV would certainly meet the demands of the young generation created by piracy and get home an immersive cinema experience. Avatar has gone on to become the biggest grossing film of all time since its release in December. Could 3DTV really represent a challenge to cinema? Possibly yes if the price, on-demand ease and quality of the television sets match to the expectations of the consumers. To access either of the new 3D networks the viewers will need a 3D TV as well as 3D glasses. The initial costs are a bit high but this new technology is surely exciting.
