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ESPN 3D At a Glance

ESPN_3D

What:
ESPN 3D is the television industry’s first 3D network and brings together more than three years of research and development by multiple departments throughout the company.

Key Dates: 

  • ESPN’s first 3D telecast was the USC at Ohio State University college football game on Sept. 12, 2009.
  • ESPN announces on January 5, 2010 that it will launch a 3D network to bring 3D to fans in their homes
  • ESPN 3D is launched on June 11, 2010 with the first FIFA 2010 World Cup game (South Africa vs. Mexico)
  • On Feb. 14, 2011, the network went from showing event-based telecasts to airing content all day, every day.

TV Network Programming:
The ESPN 3D schedule featured more than 120 events in its first year, including:

  • 25 2010 FIFA World Cup matches (June 2010)
  • 2010 State Farm Home Run Derby (July 12, 2010)
  • X Games 16 (July 29-Aug. 1, 2010)
  • College basketball’s Old Spice Classic (Nov. 25-28, 2010)
  • NBA regular season (Dec. 2010-April 2011)
  • 2011 BCS National Championship game (Jan. 11, 2011)
  • Winter X Games 15 (Jan. 27-30, 2011)
  • College basketball’s Big East Tournament (Mar. 8-12, 2011)
  • the Masters (April 6-10, 2011)
  • NBA Playoffs and Finals (May & June 2011)

Distribution:

ESPN 3D is available nationwide to more than 60 million households and has carriage agreements with  Comcast, DIRECTV, Time Warner Cable and Verizon FiOS.

About ESPN 3D

ESPN was the first to announce in the United States an exclusive 3D network in January 2010 which was the culmination of more than three years of testing 3D television.  ESPN has produced many 3D domestic telecasts in 2010 and 2011, including the BCS National Championship game, the Masters, X Games, multiple college football and basketball games, the State Farm Home Run Derby and more . ESPN has developed best practices for utilizing the technology in live game applications which have provided the ability to streamline workflow operations, adjust 3D camera positioning, perform transmission tests and gauge fan reaction to a 3D telecast versus a traditional telecast.  In addition, ESPN utilizes cutting-edge technology located at the ESPN Innovation Lab in Orlando at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex at Walt Disney World to continue to develop innovative production enhancements.  ESPN 3D is available in the United States to more than 60 million households and has carriage agreements with  Comcast, DIRECTV, Time Warner Cable and Verizon FiOS. Sony was named the first official sponsor of the network in January 2010.

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