ESPN 3D Launches New Era in Sports

ESPN 3D to launch new era in coverage of sports on TV....

Sports channel ESPN announces ESPN 3D Network....

Disney owned ESPN has announced ESPN 3D, coming mid 2010 as the historic South Africa Soccer world cup begins.

ESPN announced Tuesday, January 5 2010 that it would launch its latest addition to the ESPN Family with a network called ESPN 3D.

The first event to be seen on ESPN 3D will be the first game of the 2010 FIFA World Cup when South Africa play Mexico June 11, 2010.

"ESPN 3D marries great content with new technology to enhance the fan's viewing experience and puts ESPN at the forefront of the next big advance for TV viewing," ABC Sports President George Bodenheimer said in a statement released to media.

ESPN has been looking into ESPN 3D for the past few years, most notably showing a USC-Ohio State college football game at select theaters in 3D.

The ESPN 3D Network announcement comes during a time when interest in 3D technology is surging, with the announcement today as well as a 3D network from Discovery Networks.

In addition to the 2010 FIFA World Cup match, the network plans to air the 2011 BCS Championship and the Summer X Games on ESPN 3D, reports said.

Media release from ESPN on ESPN 3D channel launch for June 2010

ESPN 3D will showcase a minimum of 85 live sporting events during its first year, beginning June 11 with the first 2010 FIFA World Cup match, featuring South Africa vs. Mexico, ESPN and ABC Sports president George Bodenheimer announced.

Other events to be produced in 3-D include the 2011 BCS National Championship Game, college basketball and football contests, up to 25 World Cup matches and the Summer X Games. Additional events will be announced at a later date.

"ESPN's commitment to 3D is a win for fans and our business partners," Bodenheimer said in a statement. "ESPN 3D marries great content with new technology to enhance the fan's viewing experience and puts ESPN at the forefront of the next big advance for TV viewing."

ESPN has been testing ESPN 3D for more than two years, even showing a USC-Ohio State college football game in select theaters and to 6,000 fans at the Galen Center on USC's campus.

"This is a turning point for 3D," Consumer Electronics Association CEO Gary Shapiro told USA Today.