Sky 3D – Europe’s first 3D channel – will launch in Ireland on Friday, 1 October, and will be available to Sky+HD subscribers with 3D-ready TVs.
Ahead of the 1 October launch of Sky 3D, there will be demonstrations available in 13 shops around Ireland in the next few weeks.
The 3D service from Sky will have a lunch weekend that will include three days of live coverage of the Ryder Cup from Celtic manor, as well as two of the biggest grossing 3D films to date: Bolt and Monster vs. Aliens.
The service is available at no extra charge to all Sky+HD viewers with a 3D TV subscribing to Sky’s top channel and HD pack, using their current set-top box.
The appetite for 3D television, it seems, is growing but in its infancy. Technology research firm iSuppli predict that the number of 3D TV sets shipped globally in 2010 will total 4.2 million in comparison to the projected 27.7 million TV sets with built-in internet connectivity to be shipped in the same time frame.
“Despite aggressive promotions from the industry and intense consumer interest generated by the blockbuster Avatar and other titles, the 3D TV market in 2010 will be limited to a small pool of enthusiastic early adopters,” said Riddhi Patel, director and principal analyst for television systems at iSuppli.
