Numericable and Orange launching new 3D services

French cable operator Numericable has launched what it describes as France’s first 3D TV channel. The move follows Numericable’s launch of a pilot 3D service in September. The full-time channel, Ma Chaîne 3D, will feature a mix of free-to-view and pay-per-view films, cartoons, documentaries and events. Numericable said about 20 individual content titles would be available at launch, with new titles added each week.

For pay content, cartoons, short films and documentaries will be available from €0.99, while films will be available for rent from €6.99. The first exclusive event aired by the channel will be the WBA World heavyweight boxing championship on November 13 between David Haye and Audley Harrison.

Subscribers with existing Numericable HD set-tops will be able to access the 3D service. Numericable has teamed up with Panasonic, Cisco, Nagravision, Sagemcom and, most recently, quality of service specialist Witbe, to promote 3D as part of the 3D-HD Alliance. The company will offer a “3D pack” to its top-tier NCBox Power HD subscribers in partnership with Panasonic from November 15, comprising a pair of 3D glasses worth €150 and 12 3D video-on-demand titles. Panasonic 3D TVs are already available for sale in Numericable outlets.

Orange France meanwhile is to launch a 3D video-on-demand service on December 11 in partnership with Studiocanal and Warner Bros Digital Distribution.

Orange will offer 3D titles Around the World in 50 Years and The Clash of the Titans exclusively on its VOD channel to December 31 and January 2 respectively. Orange, which earlier this year kicked off its 3D programme by airing matches from the Roland Garros French Open tennis championship, will also make the two titles available on its standard HD VOD service.