CES 2010: Two 3D TV Channels Announced

With Avatar turning into one of the biggest hits in movie history, the floodgates are open more than ever on 3D, and many expect we'll be seeing a huge number of 3D movies in the years to come. But with CES now upon us, two big announcements are also paving the way for a lot more 3D on television as well.

ESPN has announced the launch of the new ESPN 3D network, touting that they will showcase a minimum of 85 live sporting events during its first year. The channel will launch June 11th with the first 2010 FIFA World Cup match, featuring South Africa versus Mexico. 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.

Meanwhile, Discovery Communications, Sony Corporation and IMAX Corporation have announced a joint venture to launch their own dedicated 3D television network. The companies note their notable background in creating 3D entertainment – IMAX obviously has been a big part of 3D films rising in popularity.

Amusingly, both ESPN and Discovery/Sony/IMAX tout that they are debuting the first 3D channel, but obviously there can be only one when it comes to truly being the first to launch. It looks like ESPN will win that battle, as the June 11th date they give definitely beats the more vague "2011" listed by Discovery/Sony/IMAX, who have yet to announce a name for their 3D channel.

ESPN 3D will of course be sports oriented, and the involvement of Discovery in the other venture lends itself to more documentary type material – indeed, the press release says that channel will focus on programs that "are most appealing in 3D, including natural history, space, exploration, adventure, engineering, science and technology, motion pictures and children's programming."

There have been one-time 3D episodes of ongoing TV series in the past, including Chuck last year. But with much more 3D in the works, the question down the line is, who will be the first to produce a weekly, scripted 3D TV series?

Meanwhile, USA Today notes the challenge will be to get more 3D-capable TVs into the homes of viewers – but there will likely be plenty of that sort of tech being shown off at CES this week.

USA Today also notes the rumors, first reported on by HD Guru3D, that DirecTV may also announce a 3D channel at CES. Girlfriends Seasons 1-7 DVD Boxset