DirecTV pumps up 3D offerings with Guy Fieri, new VOD on the way
It's not just 3D Blu-ray movies and videogames (Gran Turismo 5) getting a shot in the arm this week as DirecTV has announced some new content on the way to its subscribers. n3D greets the "first food show in 3D" on December 4th with six specially produced episodes of "Guy Fieri's Big Bite." Additionally, there's more 3D movies on the way to the VOD section, including Step Up 3D, The Last Airbender, Shrek Forever After, Saw VII and a few others throughout December and January. Other than movies there's also a Jessica Simpson Christmas special and Vancouver 2010 documentary up for viewing in 3D to get you through the cold winter months. Check the press releases after the break for all the details, and just in case any 3DTV owners forgot this is seems as good a place as any to mention that there's plenty of college basketball on tap this weekend courtesy of ESPN 3D, which is now available on Time Warner Cable.
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DIRECTV Wraps Up the Ultimate 3D Programming Lineup This Holiday Season
'Despicable Me,' 'Shrek Forever After', 'The Last Airbender' and 'Disney's A Christmas Carol' Are Among the Hit Movies that Will be Available in 3D on DIRECTV CINEMA™
In Addition, DIRECTV will Offer the Exclusive 3D Broadcast of Macy's Presents Jessica Simpson: Happy Christmas Special and the Vancouver 2010 - Stories of Olympic Glory Documentary on n3D™, Powered by Panasonic
EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- DIRECTV is making the decision to purchase a 3DTV an easy one with its lineup of 3D Hollywood blockbuster movies and exclusive holiday specials and documentaries, available on n3D™, powered by Panasonic and DIRECTV CINEMA™.
n3D and DIRECTV CINEMA's 3D offerings are all powered by Panasonic. Beginning this December, DIRECTV customers will have access to a variety of new 3D releases for $6.99 each and 3D library movie titles for $4.99 each, on DIRECTV CINEMA (Ch. 104). Titles include:
* The Last Airbender 3D (Dec.)
* Despicable Me 3D (Jan.)
* Step Up 3D (Dec.)
* Shrek Forever After 3D (Jan.)
* Disney's A Christmas Carol 3D (Dec.)
* Saw VII 3D ((Jan.)
* Bolt 3D (Dec.)
* Alpha & Omega 3D (Jan.)
* Chicken Little 3D (Dec.)
* Meet the Robinsons 3D (Jan.)
* Scar 3D (Dec.)
* Grand Canyon: River at Risk 3D (Jan.)
"With up to a dozen of the most popular 3D movies available on DIRECTV and 'Black Friday' right around the corner, there is no better time for consumers to put that 3DTV set at the top of their holiday shopping list," said Derek Chang, executive vice president, Content Strategy and Development, DIRECTV. "Experiencing a Hollywood feature film in 3D in the home is truly the essence of what 3DTV technology was made for, and now DIRECTV customers can share this new phenomenon with their whole family right in their living room."
In addition to the 3D movie lineup, DIRECTV will also offer exclusive access to the Macy's Presents Jessica Simpson: Happy Christmas Special and the Vancouver 2010 - Stories of Olympic Glory documentary beginning this December on n3D™, powered by Panasonic. The Macy's Presents Jessica Simpson: Happy Christmas Special is set in the historic Roseland Ballroom in New York City and features guest appearances by singer/songwriter legend Carly Simon on "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentleman" with John Forte on guitar, and pop sensation and sister, Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, on "Happy Christmas."
The Vancouver 2010 - Stories of Olympic Glory is among the first-ever 3D sports documentaries and the first produced on the Olympic Games. The film features stories from the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games including: The Opening Ceremonies; America's Apolo Ohno in Men's Short Track Speed skating; Russia's Yevgeni Pluschenko and USA's Evan Lysacek in Men's Figure Skating; and the story of China's pairs figure skaters, Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo, and their coach, Yao Bin.
DIRECTV's exclusive 3D channel, n3D™ powered by Panasonic, is available at no additional cost to millions of DIRECTV HD customers. In addition to exclusive 3D coverage of special events such as the 2010 MLB All-Star Game and the 2010 U.S. Open Tennis Championship, n3D customers also have access to exclusive, original 3D programming such as "Guy's Big Bite" in 3D and "Guitar Center Sessions."
DIRECTV HD customers received a free software upgrade that enables them to have access to the 3D channels on DIRECTV. DIRECTV HD customers will need a 3D television set and 3D glasses to view 3D programming on DIRECTV. For more information on n3D™ powered by Panasonic or DIRECTV CINEMA™, please visit www.DIRECTV.com/3D or www.DIRECTV.com/cinema.
About DIRECTV
DIRECTV (NASDAQ:DTV) is the world's most popular video service delivering state-of-the-art technology, unmatched programming, the most comprehensive sports packages available and industry leading customer service to its more than 27 million customers in the U.S. and Latin America. In the U.S., DIRECTV offers its 18.9 million customers access to over 160 HD channels and Dolby-Digital® 5.1 theater-quality sound (when available), access to exclusive sports programming such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET™, award winning technology like its DIRECTV® DVR Scheduler and higher customer satisfaction than the leading cable companies for ten years running. DIRECTV Latin America, through its subsidiaries and affiliated companies in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, and other Latin American countries, leads the pay-TV category in technology, programming and service, delivering an unrivaled digital television experience to 8.1 million customers. DIRECTV sports and entertainment properties include three Regional Sports Networks (Northwest, Rocky Mountain and Pittsburgh) as well as a 65 percent interest in Game Show Network. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please call 1-800-DIRECTV or visit directv.com.
Guy Fieri Brings the Kitchen Into the Next Dimension With 'Guy's Big Bite' In 3D
DIRECTV and Scripps Networks Co-Produce First Food Show in 3D, Available Exclusively on n3D™, Powered by Panasonic
EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Just in time to satisfy all of those holiday food cravings, DIRECTV and Scripps Networks will serve up the first food show to be broadcast in full 3D, exclusively on DIRECTV's 3D channel, n3D™, powered by Panasonic. Premiering on Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, the co-production features Food Network star Guy Fieri, who will take food fans' taste buds into a brand new culinary dimension with his hit show Guy's Big Bite in 3D.
n3D™, powered by Panasonic, will offer six new episodes of Guy's Big Bite, produced specifically for 3D. These episodes will feature mouthwatering signature recipes such as, Andouille and Clam Crostini, Sloppy Joes with Maui Onion Straws, Hoisin Chicken Fold Ups, Braised Pork Shoulder and Garlic Parmesan Crab. In addition, beginning on Nov. 27 at 7 p.m. ET, DIRECTV will offer a selection of The Best of Guy's Big Bite episodes, available in 2D on DIRECTV's The 101® Network. These episodes will feature some of Guy's most memorable episodes where he is paired with his son Hunter, as well as guests from his other hit show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, which currently airs on The Food Network.
"If there is ever a time when you want to see programming in 3D it is watching Guy Fieri work his magic in the kitchen," said Chris Long, senior vice president, Entertainment, DIRECTV. "Guy's Big Bite looks amazing in HD so in 3D it will literally have viewers drooling in front of their 3DTVs. This is the first time that we have worked with a programming partner like Scripps Networks to develop new 3D content and the experience has been fantastic."
"We're interested in seeing how viewers react to our content in a 3D environment," said Lynne Costantini, executive vice president, affiliate sales and marketing for Scripps Networks. "As our distribution partners begin to explore this new format, it's important for us to be involved and support them with our powerhouse brands, helping them strengthen their connections with their subscribers and to grow their businesses. DIRECTV is an ideal partner in this pilot because they had assets they could bring to the production process."
Guy Fieri competed on and won season two of The Next Food Network Star. In addition to Guy's Big Bite, he hosts a variety of popular shows on Food Network, including Ultimate Recipe Showdown; Diners, Drive-ins and Dives; and Tailgate Warriors.
DIRECTV's exclusive 3D channel, n3D™ powered by Panasonic, is available at no additional cost to millions of DIRECTV HD customers. In addition to the 2010 MLB All-Star Game, the 2010 U.S. Open Tennis and ESPN's 3D coverage of the Summer X Games 16, n3D customers also have access to exclusive, original 3D programming such as Guitar Center Sessions with Peter Gabriel and Jane's Addiction.
DIRECTV HD customers received a free software upgrade that enables them to have access to the 3D channels on DIRECTV. DIRECTV HD customers will need a 3D television set and 3D glasses to view 3D programming on DIRECTV.
About DIRECTV
DIRECTV (NASDAQ:DTV) is the world's most popular video service delivering state-of-the-art technology, unmatched programming, the most comprehensive sports packages available and industry leading customer service to its more than 27 million customers in the U.S. and Latin America. In the U.S., DIRECTV offers its 18.9 million customers access to over 160 HD channels and Dolby-Digital® 5.1 theater-quality sound (when available), access to exclusive sports programming such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET™, award winning technology like its DIRECTV® DVR Scheduler and higher customer satisfaction than the leading cable companies for ten years running. DIRECTV Latin America, through its subsidiaries and affiliated companies in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, and other Latin American countries, leads the pay-TV category in technology, programming and service, delivering an unrivaled digital television experience to 8.1 million customers. DIRECTV sports and entertainment properties include three Regional Sports Networks (Northwest, Rocky Mountain and Pittsburgh) as well as a 65 percent interest in Game Show Network. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please call 1-800-DIRECTV or visit directv.com.
About Scripps Networks
Scripps Networks comprises lifestyle television brands HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel, Travel Channel and country music network Great American Country (GAC). Scripps is the dominant media and marketing company in the home, food and lifestyle categories, developing content for television and the Internet, where on-air programming complements an array of broadband video, social media areas and e-commerce components on companion websites that attract more than 18 million unique visitors each month. Scripps Networks is an operating unit of Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. (NYSE: SNI)
