Australian Broadcasters Dabble in 3D TV

The first live 3D TV broadcasts in Australia are expected next year. Foxtel CEO Kim Williams has confirmed the company is working in-house to bring 3D TV to subscribers sometime next year.

"Foxtel has been closely monitoring 3D developments since January of 2009 and has an active program for 3D broadcasting in its Engineering Development Labs. 3D is an exciting development in broadcasting and Foxtel HD set top units have already carried 3D signals in our premises with terrific picture clarity. Foxtel will continue to run laboratory trials on 3D transmissions over the next year. I expect that Foxtel will bring its first test broadcasts in 3D to subscribers in 2011 when full product details will be revealed."

Channel Ten is planning to jump aboard the 3D bandwagon later this year, with a brief 3D segment in the quiz show Talkin' 'bout Your Generation. Ten said it would give away the special 3D glasses needed to view the broadcast as part of a national promotion.

Channel Nine said it was monitoring the technology and Seven said it was interested in 3D's impact, particularly on sport. But Seven's general manager of group broadcast services, Andrew Anderson, said it could be years before there was a large number of 3D television sets in Australian lounge rooms.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald