DIRECTV is moving quickly on 3D TV, as the rumored deployment of the channels was officially announced at the Consumer Electronics Show yesterday in Las Vegas. The satellite TV company has partnered with Panasonic who will be the exclusive sponsor of the new 3D HDTV channels.
DIRECTV HD subscribers will receive a free upgrade to compatible HD and HD DVR devices in order to access the new 3D channels once they are deployed. But in order to see the content in 3D, DIRECTV subscribers will be looking at a significant investment in a new 3D TV, not to mention the glasses that will be needed to watch content.
Unfortunately, the 3D channels that are on tap from DIRECTV won’t really be true 24/7 channels. As is the cast with cable and satellite TV companies in their counting of HD channels, the 3D channels will not be channels in the way you and I think of them. Here is how DIRECTV and Panasonic plan on rolling out the 3D channels, which will happen at the earliest in June, but may be later in 2010.
One 3DTV channel from DIRECTV will be “free” or at least won’t cost you anything above your regular satellite TV subscription price. Described as a sampler or demonstration channel, DIRECTV will offer sports, music, and other programming in 3D. DIRECTV plans to keep this channel and the other two discussed next in-house, meaning they will only be available to customers who subscribe to service. Doing this will hopefully pull in customers from other providers rather than making money through the distribution of the channels.
The next 3D TV channel will be a 24 hour a day pay per view channel. Here you will be able to order movies from DIRECTV through their pay per view platform, and of course pay for each movie you decide to watch. With current PPV movies going for $5 to $6 each, no doubt DIRECTV will be able to command between $8 and $10 for 3D HDTV.
Finally, DIRECTV will offer a 3D video on demand channel. This will allow customers who have set up with the DIRECTV on Demand to download content to their DVR and watch it at their convenience. Currently, there are plenty of free programs available through DIRECTV on Demand, and there are also many movies that are available with prices starting at $2 per movie.
Panasonic has signed on for one year to be the presenting sponsor of the new DIRECTV 3D channel lineup. The Japanese television manufacturer is seeking to carve out an advantage in the new 3D TV market, which is crowded with competitors like Sony, LG, and Samsung. Panasonic unveiled their full HD Viera 3D TV’s, which range in size from 50 inches up to 65 inches. The Viera 3D sets are expected to be on the market by mid-year, and will also ship with one pair of HD glasses.
For DIRECTV, the 3D market represents another opportunity to grow their subscriber base. The satellite TV company made strong headway by being first to market with NFL Sunday Ticket and more recently with the high definition craze. DIRECTV has a new satellite in orbit which will allow them to significantly expand their HD and 3D HD offerings in a few months. Possible additions to the DIRECTV lineup beyond the three announced 3D channels include ESPN 3D which will launch in June, and the Discovery 3D channel which is planned for 2011. Being first in 3D TV may drive customer in from competitors Dish Network, Comcast, and other cable companies.
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I absolutely cannot wait for the Direct TV 3D channels to debut. i am already saving my pennies for a new 3D compatable HDTV, and will be signing up with Direct TV in the next month so that I can be first in line for their 3d channels and the ESPN 3d channel as well. Awesome!
i am having a panasonic 3d blue ray t v instaled tomorrow when will i see 3d o shaw direct