Digital TV News

World Cup football to be shown in 3D

Monday 7 December, 2009

By Becca Talbot - becca@consumerchoices.co.uk

Footy fans will be able to watch 25 of the 2010 World Cup matches in 3D, following a deal between sport’s governing body FIFA and electronics giant Sony.

Up to 25 games from next year’s tournament in South Africa will be recorded and shown in 3D at public FIFA events in Berlin, London, Mexico City, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Rome and Sydney during June and July.

It is not yet confirmed whether the matches will be shown live on TV in 3D.

This will be the first live sporting event to be shown in 3D, but more programmes may soon be filmed in 3D following TV giant Sky’s plans to launch a 3D channel next year.

Fujio Nishida, president of Sony Europe, said: “3D will undoubtedly transform the way we enjoy content in the living room.”

He added: “At Sony, the 3D entertainment experience will not only focus on the 3D TV alone, but from 2010 will also encompass a range of 3D compatible products such as Blu-ray Disc players, VAIO notebook computers and PlayStation3.”

Sony also will produce the official 3D film of the 2010 World Cup after the event, and experts predict the news of Sony and FIFA’s deal to increase the number of 3D TVs being purchased.

Tom Morrod, senior analyst of TV technology at Screen Digest, said: “As a result of this news, and an increasingly bullish industry outlook on 3D, Screen Digest has increased its forecast, and now estimates that 13.6 million 3D TV sets will be installed in Europe by 2013.”