Sports in 3-D

Published 11:25 pm Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Wow! Far out, man

ESPN is looking to ride one of the next big waves in consumer electronics with a new 3-D sports channel.

The network, which is owned by the Walt Disney Co., says it will introduce a channel this year that will broadcast live sports events using the technology, starting with the FIFA World Cup soccer match on June 11.

The new 3-D channel will not operate 24 hours a day, but the network plans to broadcast at least 85 live events in 3-D in the channel’s first year.

In an interview, ESPN’s vice president for technology, Chuck Pagano, said the network is preparing for a “3-D tsunami” in the TV industry.

Major electronics makers such as Sony Corp. plan to bring 3-D TV sets to market soon, duplicating the 3-D trend that hit the movie industry in 2009.

PARTING SHOT

“Sport is like golf — in theory an exercise in relaxation, in reality a Taser to the soul.”

— Jim Souhan

The Minneapolis Star Tribune columnist on how sports often turn fans into complaining whiners when their teams don’t win, leaving them feeling wronged because their loyalty wasn’t rewarded by a victory parade.