BSkyB in 3D starting next year

The British platform BSkyB has revealed its plans to launch Sky 3D, Europe's first commercial stereoscopic channel, next year.

Coinciding with the announcement of the good progress of Sky+HD, which has already exceeded one million subscribers, doubling this figure in just one year, it has admitted that the next step will be a stereoscopic version of the channel. The channel will offer a wide selection of the best 3D programming including movies, entertainment and sports programs.

The service will be transmitted over the existing Sky HD infrastructure and will be accessible from the current generation of Sky+ HD set-top boxes. To watch the broadcast in 3D, customers must have the new 3D Ready televisions that will be marketed next year in the United Kingdom by manufacturers such as Mitsubishi or Samsung.

On April 2, Sky became the first broadcaster in Europe to broadcast a live event in 3D, specifically it was a Keane show from Abbey Road Studios via satellite via Sky+HD and receiving the signal on 3D Ready home televisions.

At the moment, Sky has already recorded other events in 3D such as a performance by the English National Ballet on April 9, the rugby match between England and New Zealand on November 29, or the UEFA match between Liverpool and Marseille held three days earlier.