Sky will broadcast the world's first live 3D TV sports broadcast this weekend, showing Arsenal's Premier League game against Manchester United on televisions in nine selected pubs, Sky News reported on Thursday.
The nine venues, in London, Manchester, Dublin, Cardiff and Edinburgh, have been kept a secret to avoid overcrowding that could ruin the experiment for the regulars.
For Sunday's game, Sky will transmit two entirely separate live broadcasts, with two commentary teams, camera crews and production teams. Traditional Sky Sports customers will see one broadcast while the lucky patrons of the selected pubs will see the 3D version.
The screening comes amid the roaring success of James Cameron's movie Avatar and as rival broadcasters battle to lead television into a new dimension. The sci-fi blockbuster, shot in 3D, has surpassed Titanic to become the highest grossing film of all time.
The BBC will show two international rugby matches in 3D next month, starting with England against Wales on February 6, but to paying audiences at selected cinemas rather than on TVs.
Sky promises to roll out its 3D service to hundreds of other pubs as the number of 3D TVs arriving in the UK increases, and says it will launch a 3D TV channel in April.
ESPN announced last year that it would start a 3D sports channel in June, starting with the first match of the 2010 World Cup n South Africa. The American sports broadcaster said on its web site it has been working on the technology for two years and has screened a college football game between Ohio State and USC in selected cinemas.
LONDON, January 28 (RIA-Novosti)
