National broadcaster SBS has confirmed it is interested in televising a match from the 2010 FIFA World Cup in 3D. An article in The Australian quotes Paul Broderick, SBS director of technology and distribution, as saying that that the broadcaster is considering the expenditure and effort required to conduct a 3D broadcast.
To successfully broadcast a match in 3D, SBS would have to purchase the rights to a special recording of the game captured with stereoscopic video cameras developed by Sony, as well as implement new infrastructure in its broadcast centres.
No televisions that support 3D are currently available in Australia, but Samsung is planning a product launch in a week for its 3D-enabled LED televisions. Panasonic's 2010 range of televisions — including 3D plasma televisions like the 50in Panasonic Viera TH-P50VT20A — is set for release on April 20.
Sony's 3D LED televisions, including its flagship HX900 LED television, are scheduled for a July release. Sony is a sponsor of both the 2010 FIFA World Cup (of which it is also the official broadcaster) and SBS's World Cup coverage. The company is pushing a 2D television, the HX700, as its World Cup 'hero' model.
