Verizon to Produce, Air First NFL Game in 3D

Telecom giant Verizon will produce and broadcast next month what it says will be the first NFL game in 3D on TV. It will show the Sept. 2 preseason game between the New York Giants and New England Patriots for its FiOS TV subscribers in parts of New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Customers must have 3D TV sets, 3D glasses and a high-definition set-top box to view the broadcast.

"This is the next major step in our development of 3D experiences for our FiOS TV customers," said Terry Denson, vp of content strategy and acquisition for Verizon. "Broadcasting the first 3D NFL game delivers on our promise to FiOS customers to provide a superior TV offering, including 3D, HD and VOD programming, as well as interactivity that cable can't match."

Verizon is also working with two sports bars in New York and Providence, R.I., to give fans a firsthand look at the 3D experience by setting up 3D TVs for promotional events.

In July, the company broadcast Major League Baseball games between the New York Yankees and the Seattle Mariners in 3D.

By Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter