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ESPN 3D adds the NBA Finals to its broadcast schedule
Take that Mark Cuban. Everyone's favorite HD network owning billionaire called 3D sports DOA after deciding there weren't many people asking about a 3D Super Bowl, but now ESPN's 3D network has queued up its second championship of the year, adding the NBA Finals to its previously scheduled slate of regular season and playoff broadcasts. ESPN 3D has been broadcasting around the clock for a few days now (unless you're watching DirecTV) but while repeats make for easy demo material, if 3D is going to go from an interesting sideshow to an in-demand feature it will take more high profile events like these. If the Mavericks manage to slide past the Lakers or Spurs for a deep playoff run, we'll check back with our friend Mark to see how he'd watch the game if he didn't already have a few seats permanently staked out in the arena.
ESPN 3D is bringing five days of Masters coverage in April
In 2010, the annual Masters golf tournament was the jumping off point for 3D sports broadcasts when Comcast featured it, and this year it will have an even wider 3D audience by being featured for all five days on ESPN 3D. The plan is for two hours of coverage each day beginning with the Par 3 contest on Wednesday April 6 through Sunday between 5-7 p.m. As usual, ESPN's also doing its HD thing for the PAr 3 contest and first two days of the tournament with 4.5 hours of coverage a day just like it has since '08, but we'll be most interested to see just how much the prospective audience has grown since last spring.
ESPN kicks off Winter X Games 15 broadcasts in HD, 3D & on mobiles tomorrow
After kicking off its original 3D productions with X Games 16 last summer and airing X Games 3D The Movie back in '09, ESPN is preparing to cover Winter X Games 15 all weekend across its various platforms as well. The schedule is set for 24 hours of HD sports broadcasts on ESPN and ESPN2, while ESPN 3D is set up for 18 hours of action across nine individual windows. ESPN3 is also getting in on the action with 34 hours of coverage including 10 hours of exclusive coverage and streaming video, while ESPN Mobile TV is carrying 23 hours of coverage and owners of Android or iOS devices can snag the Winter X Games app for even more information. Along with 56 HD cameras and 13 3D cameras, the I-Movix ultra slow motion camera from the Beijing Olympics will be back in action as the Mega Mo providing replays captured at 4500 frames per second. Check the press releases after the break for more details and all the schedules and the above ESPN 3D spot.
Friday Night Fights on ESPN 3D will be the first to simplify co-production for 2D
ESPN 3D has had more live 3D sports broadcasts than we can think of but up until now ESPN has insisted that 3D events required a completely independent production process than that of 2D. This means that any event produced in 3D needs twice as many cameras, twice as much bandwidth to transmit it, twice as much everything. Well, it appears that this might not be the case for all sports because on February 18th ESPN will produce Friday Night Fights in 3D and just feed the HD fans a 2D version of the same feed. The results of this could have dramatic results on 3D broadcasts as we know it because the economical feasibility of 3D becomes much more realistic if a single production crew can feed both viewers; this might even mean cable providers can carry a single feed (like center cutting HD for SD but the 3D version). The other impact this might have on the market is it could influence the choice of a full HD 3D broadcast codec. You see while H.264 MVC used for 3D Blu-ray movies is backwards compatible with 2D, other broadcast methods like Sensio's and Dolby's are not. Oh, and one last thing, check out the gallery from ESPN Gameday Live that was at Sony's CES booth today. %Gallery-113349%
ESPN 3D switches from part-time to full-time on February 14th
Any old school HD fanboy remembers the 24 hour PBS HD loop in the early days of the format as the go-to-channel even though it was pretty much the exact same content showed over and over again 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So it warms our heart to learn that ESPN will take its part time 3D channel full time even if it doesn't necessarily mean any more live 3D events. The 24 hour repeat of previously aired 3D content will start to flow to ESPN 3D customers starting February 14th. In the meantime 3D fans can look forward to closing out the first 3D College Football season with a bang with the National Championship game in 3D on Monday, with a special edition of College Football Live broadcast in 3D from the CES show floor. UPDATE: Additional 3D live broadcasts listed and other details now available in the full press release below.
Retailer's 3D Demo Days, new Pirates movie trailer highlight ESPN 3D's first NBA game
We're just a few hours away from the first NBA game on ESPN 3D when the Heat face the Knicks at 7 p.m. at Madison Square Garden, and now ESPN has announced it will have the "television premiere" of the 3D trailer for Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides during the broadcast. While we wonder if that will become a trend for the network to show off 3D trailers for the slew of movies coming to theaters in the future, those who haven't bought a 3D capable TV but do want to see how the broadcast looks may want to check out one of the retailers (Best Buy, among others) participating in the CEA's Demo Days, coming back this weekend just in time for the game. Of course, that may mean choosing between Lebron vs. Amare and The Engadget Show tonight, but we're sure you'll make the right decision.
ESPN 3D schedules three more NBA games, including one on Christmas Day
ESPN 3D will broadcast its first NBA game this Friday night with Heat/Knicks, but it's already adding three new dates to the previously announced 14 game schedule. One is a Bulls/Knicks matchup on Christmas day, while the suns get two Friday night games in January against New York and Portland. Jon Barry and Mark Jones will have the call on the 17th, with Jones scheduled to do play-by-play for ESPN3D all season, so if you're unwrapping a new set and glasses, just make sure you've got everything plugged in by noon so you can catch the game.
Final ESPN 3D NCAAF games announced with a Tostitos Fiesta Bowl surprise
Mad you missed ESPN's previous 3D college football broadcasts and worried it might not come back? Then get your DVRs and calendars at the ready, because the network has announced its remaining 3D college football broadcasts will follow the Boise State Broncos as they play the University of Hawaii on Saturday, November 6th at 3:30PM ET and Idaho on Friday, November 22th at 9PM ET. Combined with the first ESPN 3D NCAAF game, this means the heavily debated Broncos will at least temporarily hold the record for most 3D appearances in college football history. Sadly, it won't enhance their bid for the biggest 3D game of the season -- you know, the Tostitos BCS Championship on January 10th. But even if the blue turf's weak schedule woes keep them from the title, at least one of their records could still improve by returning to the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl -- which ESPN also shared will be aired in 3D. Obviously waiting is no fun, but unless you jacked Adam Sandler's DVR from Click, reading our college football kickoff review can help pass the time until game day arrives.
ESPN 3D still searching for ROI to determine feasibility of second year
It is easy for us enthusiasts to forget that for our favorite companies this is all about business. We've followed ESPN 3D since it was announced and until now haven't considered the fact that it might not be here to stay. Nope, in fact it is currently almost half way through a one year trial and according to ESPN Senior Director of Technology, Jonathan Pannaman, "we're still not sure what makes sense for 3DTV and we don't yet see a proven ROI." This has to be a concern for 3DTV manufacturers as its obvious that Hollywood doesn't care too much about helping them sell 3DTVs. We still have until next Summer for this all to shake out, but we're afraid this might turn out like the first season Monday Night Football was in HD, unless ESPN figures out a way to bring down the costs of 3D sports productions.
ESPN 3D hits the west coast for Oregon/UCLA game tonight
So far, ESPN 3D's college football coverage has been all Eastern and Midwest games, but tonight we'll see some Pac-10 action as the top ranked (depending on which poll you consider to be valid) Oregon ducks take on UCLA at 9 p.m. It's also the first Thursday night broadcast for the channel, before it features Michigan State/Northwestern on Saturday. Two events in one week something to celebrate? That's the way it is for now in 3D. BTW, if you're in Portland and 3DTV-less, check out a Sony-sponsored tweetup for 3DTVs, Google TV and most importantly, a tailgate with food and beer.
Verizon, Disney deal means ESPN on tablets, ESPN 3D and Goal Line channel for FiOS
Verizon FiOS subscribers can expect a few new channels in the lineup now that it's reached an agreement with Disney for ESPN content across a variety of channels and even devices. While ESPN 3D isn't scheduled for launch until 2011 (maybe in time for the BCS National Championship game, but too late to catch LeBron, Dwyane, Chris and those other guys take on the Knicks) ESPN Goal Line will go live on the 9th for Extreme HD and Ultimate HD package subscribers (except for D.C. and Harrisburg, PA) giving live look ins at all the college football games on Saturday. Playing further into Verizon's tablet plans, the agreement also means customers can watch ESPN live channels directly on PCs or other authenticated devices, mirroring an earlier agreement between ESPN and Time Warner. Beyond that there's a new Disney Junior channel on the way in 2010 plus Disney XD and ABC Family content coming to V Cast but we pretty much tuned out once we got past the sports part. Check the entire press release out after the break.
ESPN 3D will broadcast 14 NBA games this year starting with Heat/Knicks December 17
While ESPN 3D's NCAA football plans are still leaking out in dribs and drabs (Ohio State is featured in the next two broadcasts, hosting Indiana on September 9 and at Wisconsin on the 16th) it has finally released its plans for the NBA season. Basketball fans can look forward to 14 planned broadcasts this season, with eight regular season matchups and six games in the playoffs, including three in the Western Conference Finals. LeBron, Dwyane, Chris and the rest of the Heat kick things off with a visit to Madison Square Garden against the Knicks December 17, with plenty of highlight matches among those that follow. Check the full schedule after the break, with so few on the slate you'll want to make sure you're free.
ESPN 3D's fourth college football broadcast is Auburn/South Carolina
ESPN 3D will keep things rolling in week four of the college football season by featuring Auburn, again, as it hosts Steve Spurrier and South Carolina on September 25. That of course makes Auburn the first repeat on the schedule, after this weeks matchup with Clemson. Now that that's announced, we have two questions: Will all of ESPN 3D's games be on the eastern half of the country, and with an abundance of SEC speed on the field from both teams, can 3D cameras possibly hope to keep up with the action before busting into flames?
ESPN 3D review: college football kickoff
The 2009 BCS National Championship game showed us the potential of 3D sports broadcasts but now it's 2010 so while Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow have taken their game to the NFL, ESPN 3D has made it a reality for viewers at home. Last night's Boise St./Virginia Tech matchup was the first of 13 the network plans to air including the next BCS Championship game so we didn't waste any time plugging in a 3DTV and taking a look. Check after the break for our impressions and a bit more explanation on 3D technology (Still not up to speed? Check out our post-CES breakdown of 3D tech for the home right here.)
New Time Warner Cable deal brings ESPN to mobile devices and PCs
Here you were worried that you wouldn't be able to watch ESPN this weekend when the current agreement expires, only to find out that not only did the deal get done, but it brings lots of cool new ESPN products to Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks customers. The most notable is that, in addition to ESPN3.com, customers will be able to stream linear programing from the most well known ESPN networks to your PC and other mobile devices. The deal also includes the addition of ESPN 3D, the new Disney Junior, more ESPN VOD content than we can cover, and a new channel called ESPN Goal Line (essentially The RedZone channel for college football). No hard dates on when any of this will go live, but certainly a great deal for sports fans, and for everyone else, thanks for paying extra so we can get our fix.
CEA's Demo Days brings ESPN 3D to retailers for one weekend in September
Despite 3DTVs showing up for sale everywhere, there's just not much content to watch on them yet. We've come out in support of football and sports in general as selling points for 3D more than once, but since ESPN 3D only broadcasts live events and most stores don't have access to the channel, the only way to see it is to buy one. That will change between September 10-12, when ESPN 3D carries the Miami/Ohio State college football game live and teams up with the CEA to bring demos to participating retailers (read: Best Buy, Fry's, ABT and some specialty A/V shops.) Don't worry if you can't run by the store during the game, ESPN 3D is apparently providing highlights from the World Cup, X Games and Boise State/Virginia Tech all weekend. Enough to clear up all the questions and issues with 3D? Probably not, but ultimately the new tech is something that can only sell if people see it, and this will definitely be the widest reaching simultaneous exhibition to date.
Sony Style stores to air X Games 16 in 3D tonight, Saturday
Don't have a 3DTV setup yet, but still want to get a piece of ESPN 3D's X Games 16 production? Grab a map and find the nearest Sony Style -- and hope it's open past 8 tonight, past 7 Saturday -- since they will be displaying the broadcasts during store hours. Tonight's featured event is Moto X Freestyle, while Saturday the rally cars and their in-car 3D cameras take center stage. If you get a chance to check it out, let us know what you think, or if any other retailers are taking advantage of some new 3D content to try and get customers in the door.
ESPN 3D schedules 13 college football broadcasts this season; Va. Tech / Boise St. is first
After unveiling the standard college football schedule, ESPN has seen fit to reveal the first three of the 13 games it plans to broadcast in 3D this season. Boise State will face Virginia Tech on September 6, a Monday night, while Ohio State and Miami will do battle September 11, before Clemson and Auburn have their ACC/SEC grudge match September 18. The plan is to have a college football game on ESPN 3D "almost" every week of the season, with the last being the BCS National Championship game January 10. Announcements regarding NBA, college basketball and Winter X Games 15 scheduling are on deck, but this weekend it's all about the Summer X Games 16.
ESPN 3D goes international, brings X Games 16 to Australia's Foxtel and Austar
The debut of X Games 16 and its 8 hours of live 3D broadcast is nearly upon us, and for the first time in ESPN 3D's short history, viewers outside the US will be able to get a look at the action. The lucky country is Australia (already known for being ahead of the curve on 3D) and it appears that AUSTAR won't be content letting Foxtel take the lead like it did with HD, since both will have the network on channel 206 on Friday, July 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. AEST and Sunday, August 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. AEST. All iQ2 and MyStar HD subs (with 3DTVs of course) should have access to the channel -- check the press release after the break for any other details and prepare for some morning extreme sports with your toast & baked beans.
ESPN lays out X Games 16 coverage via online, HD & 3D formats, including in-car 3D cams
We're just a couple of days away from the beginning of X Games 16 in Los Angeles, and beyond just the high flying acrobatic stunts, it should be also be a broadcasting technological showcase. Just two years removed from making its HD debut, this year's summer X will get 31 hours (up from 20 last year) of dedicated HD coverage on ESPN & ESPN2, 27 hours of simulcast coverage + 10 hours of exclusive video on ESPN3, 28 hours of live video on the ESPN Mobile platform, a YouTube channel plus daily updates on Facebook and Xbox Live. As for that newly launched 3D network? Expect eight hours of live coverage from 14 native 3D cameras (including the "3D Mega Mo" ultra slow motion camera) including men's and women's Super X racing, the Big Air Skateboard competition, and rally car events featuring the first live use of wireless 3D cameras mounted in the car. Even more details are in the press release after the break.
