World Cup Soccer to Be Available in 3D in Japan

Sky Perfect JSAT Corp and Sony Corp announced that they will broadcast the FIFA World Cup Soccer games in June and July as 3D TV programs in Japan. Starting from the Japan-Holland game that will take place June 19, a total of 25 matches that were announced by Sony and FIFA April 8 will be broadcast in 3D on the "Sukachan 3D169" channel. Sony will participate in the broadcast as a sponsor.

The 3D TV programs can be watched by those who subscribe to the "Sukapa HD" or "Sukapa Hikari" channel and have a 3D TV based on a "side-by-side" multiplex. In Japan, many of the 3D TVs that will be recently released, including the one Sony will launch June 10, support the side-by-side multiplex.

Though the 3D programs are basically subject to fees, depending on subscription contract, it is possible to watch them without paying any extra fees, Sky Perfect JSAT said.

By Tetsuo Nozawa, Nikkei Electronics