Sky fleshes out 3D programming plans

Pay-TV operator BSkyB in the UK has given details of its forthcoming 3D TV service as its plans for 3D take shape.

Sky has announced a launch date and programming line-up for its service. The operator will launch Sky 3D on October 1. Programming will include a Bollywood-meets-ballet dance spectacular and a slew of movies and sports events.

Sky has movie output deals with most of the majors and said it has reached agreements with Disney, Fox, Universal, Warner Bros., Paramount and DreamWorks. Two of the first 3D movies on the channel will be Bolt and Monsters vs. Aliens and in the run up to Christmas, other titles will include Alice in Wonderland, Coraline and Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince.
Sporting events include live coverage of the Ryder Cup and Premier League football, which fans can already watch in 3D in some pubs.

Sky recently outlined what is was looking for from producers for its 3D channel at an event at Bafta in London, but thus far its main announcement outside of sport and movies has been feature doc Flying Monsters 3D, which will be fronted by David Attenborough and produced by Atlantic Productions. A spokesman said there will be more entertainment content, but that will be announced later in the year.

Meanwhile, in the US, pay-TV giant DirecTV has also announced another content partnership for its n3D channel. DirecTV has inked a deal with AETN, which will broadcast the fifth season of History channel series Universe on that pay TV operator’s n3D channel. DirecTV has just launched a trio of 3D channels. Its 3D linear channel, n3D is a joint venture with Panasonic and launched at the start of the month. The pay-TV operator also has a 3D movie channel and carries the ESPN 3D service.