Digital TV Guides

3D TV sports channels and packages

By Garnet Roach - garnet@consumerchoices.co.uk

Thursday 21 October, 2010

Want to watch all the big sporting events in 3D? You can take your television to the next dimension with a new 3D sports package.

If you want to feel like you're in the box or next to the wicket, 3D TV can place you right inside the action.

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3D TV channels

Sky (www.sky.co.uk) launched Europe’s first dedicated 3D channel on 1 October, kicking off with three days of the Ryder Cup in 3D.

The Satellite TV provider followed this up with an average of three live sporting events every week in 3D, including football, rugby and boxing.

So far, Sky has only announced coverage up to November 2010, but will reveal new events shortly.

The channel is available at no extra cost to all Sky World customers, also taking the Sky HD Pack.

3D football

3D Barclays Premier League matches scheduled for October and November 2010 included the Manchester, Merseyside and north London derbies, as well as key clashes including Manchester City vs. Arsenal and Liverpool vs. Chelsea, all in 3D.

The channel will also show international football matches in 3D, starting on 12 October when Scotland face World Cup winners Spain at Hampden Park in a Euro 2012 qualifier.

3D rugby

Rugby Union’s Autumn Internationals will be shown in 3D on Sky, as England take on New Zealand, Australia and World Champions South Africa at Twickenham in November.

3D boxing

The world’s first live 3D boxing title fight will be broadcast on Saturday 13 November with WBA World champion David Haye and former Olympic gold medallist Audley Harrison battle it out in the World Heavyweight fight from the MEN Arena in Manchester.

What else can I watch in 3D?

Sky’s 3D TV channel will also be showing a selection of 3D movies, documentaries and entertainment, including Alice In Wonderland, Cloudy with A Chance Of Meatballs, 3D Meerkats and the The Prince’s Trust Rock Gala from the Royal Albert Hall.

Virgin Media (www.virginmedia.com) has also launched its own on-demand 3D TV, allowing customers to watch 3D movies on a pay-per-view basis.

However, the digital TV provider doesn’t currently have plans to air any 3D sports events.

How do I get 3D TV?

Before signing-up to a 3D TV provider, such as Sky or Virgin Media, you will need to make sure that you have the necessary hardware to watch 3D sports and movies. You will need a 3D ready television, which currently start from around £1,000, and a set of 3D glasses to watch all the action.

Then simply sign-up to Sky World and the Sky HD Pack to enjoy everything it has to offer in 3D, or choose Virgin Media for on-demand 3D movies.