ESPN 3D will be on Comcast in time for the 2010 World Cup
By Richard Lawler 
posted May 12th 2010 11:58AM
posted May 12th 2010 11:58AM
ESPN and Comcast Announce Distribution Agreement to Bring ESPN 3D To Sports Fans
ESPN 3D Launch on Comcast to Coincide with 2010 FIFA World Cup on June 11
BRISTOL, CONN. AND PHILADELPHIA – May 12, 2010 – Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK), one of the nation's leading providers of entertainment, information and communication products and services, and ESPN today announced an agreement to provide ESPN 3D to Comcast's Digital Cable customers, to bring top sports events to consumers in next-generation 3D. Comcast is the first cable affiliate to sign on to distribute ESPN's new network that will launch on June 11 and will include nearly 100 events in its first year.
"As a leader in the distribution of innovative content, it's fitting that Comcast is the first cable distributor for ESPN 3D," said George Bodenheimer, co-chairman, Disney Media Networks, and president, ESPN and ABC Sports. "This agreement demonstrates ESPN's and Comcast's shared commitment to bring the latest viewing experience to sports fans."
"ESPN was a pioneer in HD, and continues to move the industry forward with the first 3D sports network," said Brian L. Roberts, chairman and CEO, Comcast Corporation. "We delivered the first live national 3D sports event to consumers homes earlier this year with the Masters Tournament and believe that 3D sports will drive the adoption of this technology and continue to revolutionize how we deliver entertainment."
In addition, Comcast and ESPN will provide customers access to select ESPN 3D events on VOD.
ESPN 3D will sign on the air June 11 with the first 2010 FIFA World Cup match featuring South Africa versus Mexico. ESPN 3D will feature up to 25 matches throughout the World Cup. Along with college football and NBA games, schedule highlights for the new network include:
· X Games 16, July 28-Aug. 1
· College basketball's Old Spice Classic, Nov. 25-28
· College football's ACC Championship on Dec. 4
· Jimmy V Classic on Dec. 7
· 2011 BCS National Championship game Jan. 10, 2011
· X Games 15, Jan. 27-30, 2011
· College basketball's Big East Tournament, March 8-12, 2011
About ESPN 3D
ESPN was the first to announce an exclusive 3D network in January 2010 which was the culmination of more than three years of testing 3D television. ESPN has produced several 3D telecasts, including the Masters in April 2010, a Harlem Globetrotters game in February 2010 and in 2009 the USC vs. Ohio State college football game. ESPN has developed best practices for utilizing the technology in live game applications which have provided the ability to streamline workflow operations, adjust 3D camera positioning, perform transmission tests and gauge fan reaction to a 3D telecast versus a traditional telecast. Sony was named the first official sponsor of the network in January 2010.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (www.comcast.com) is one of the nation's leading providers of entertainment, information and communication products and services. With 23.5 million cable customers, 16.3 million high-speed Internet customers, and 7.9 million Comcast Digital Voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of cable systems and in the delivery of programming content.
Comcast's content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, Golf Channel, VERSUS, G4, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One, 11 regional sports networks operated by Comcast Sports Group and Comcast Interactive Media, which develops and operates Comcast's Internet businesses, including Comcast.net (www.comcast.net). Comcast also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, which owns two professional sports teams, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, and a large, multipurpose arena in Philadelphia, the Wachovia Center, and manages other facilities for sporting events, concerts and other events.
FIFA World Cup... see all those balls in 3D...
@who said what screw soccer, i can't wait to see erin andrews in 3-D!
@who said what
sounds like i know which kinda porn you watch... ewwww
Not this time, 3D Villain! You won't ruin my soccer experience with your flickering glasses and migraine headache ray! Curse your tint that robs citizens of their brightness and color levels!
We shall meet again, when Avatar 3D is being peddled for double-dip profits and I must warn people all over again!
@Yankees Win
It's called "football", a sport where you use your feet to play, and no hands involved...
@elijahblake perv!
@who said what
I love Football (and no I mean the one you play with your feet Football) and World Cup made made my life yet a lot more fun.
@ALBGunner04
Don't be silly. Soccer means, specifically Association Rules Football, whereas Football could refer to one of many sets of rules, including American Rules.
the world cup lasts for 31 days; most store return policies are 30 days. hmmm....
@CP12 What store are you buying from dude???
@CP12
Well aren't you a silly ducky. Watch from the quarter finals on and no problem 8-)
So this means we'll get Fox Soccer Channel HD added any day now... right Comcast?
@Demolition Man i think you have to call Comcast and request it.
@anynameislame Which leads to "well we'll submit that request and you'll see it soon." Asking what "soon" means leads to "I have no idea but you'll have it soon." In other words completely pointless.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO2aCVlnLow
This College Humor video does a good job making fun of 3D. Soon it'll be 4D, 5D, 6D and 7D!!
What type of 3D glasses will I need to view all those balls in 3D?
@marklar
probably some pink ones
Very smart by ESPN. Millions of people are going to be talking about this, and there is not a better sporting event than a football world cup. :)
I'm curious on how this will look but I'm not shelling cash just for this.
21 days 21 hours and 15 min away from World Cup Action!!!
BRASIL FTW!!!
@Mtmrob
Apparently there is not much 3d can do for the general wide shots. However, people who have seen soccer in 3d say the goal cameras, corner shots, anything close to the field, with the ball moving toward or away from you... those are spectacular...
Does anyone actually own a 3D TV to watch this stuff on?
People really care about Football/The World Cup outside of the UK?
I thought it extended to Europe and after that it was just like American Football is in the UK in every other country.
@Alex R : Well, USA and UK aren't the only two countries in the world.
There are more countries member of FIFA than countries member of UN.
@Alex R pretty much every country besides the US is fanatic about soccer/football. Interestingly enough, even though hockey has a bigger following than soccer in the US, we still field a great team.
@Alex R
Are you trolling? Soccer is, by a long, long, way, the biggest sport in the world. Pretty much the only two countries who don't have soccer as their biggest are the US and India. Even Japan has come around, and they love their baseball. Soccer is exploding in the US as we speak. (Go Sounders!)
Well, consider myself corrected.
I just didn't think it was as big everywhere else...
@Alex R
.....LOL.
@rbj So.... about that beat down the Sounders got from the LA Galaxy again?
Naked streakers can only make this better.
ugh bloody yanks..
e'nuff with the word soccer. It drives me up the wall!
It's FOOTBALL ....k
We have had SKY 3D football for a while now in the uk. Surprisingly it's quite good. You only can really tell on the close up shots. The wide 1/4 pitch normal match play views are a bit meh tbh. I'm guessing american football would be the same.
I've heard that sports in 3D could be one of the best types of content to watch. Here is how you can watch the World Cup in 3D - http://www.3dyourtv.com/post/3d-tv-channels/watch-world-cup-2010-3d