DIRECTV is pushing forward with more 3D content, announcing today an agreement with the New York Yankees and their YES Network to bring games into your living room in 3D.
The latest announcement reaffirms DIRECTV’s feelings about 3D TV and that it will be a big part of their future growth plans. DIRECTV will partner with the Yes Network and FSN Northwest to present two Yankees-Mariners games in July.
Panasonic and DIRECTV will co-sponsor the games, which will take place a month after the FIFA World Cup debuts in HD in June. ESPN 3D has already been picked up by DIRECTV and will be broadcast from the get go, and will feature a number of World Cup matches in 3D this summer. DIRECTV has also announced that they will begin broadcasting three of their own 3D channels starting this summer.
The Yankee games in 3D will be the July 10th and July 11th events from Safeco Field in Seattle. While the games mark an important milestone in 3D television, they won’t be available to a national audience. The YES Network is the regional sports network of the Yankees, and serves Connecticut, parts of New Jersey, northeast Pennsylvania, and of course New York State. FSN Northwest is the regional sports network of the Mariners and covers Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and parts of Montana and Idaho.
DIRECTV is also planning on airing the 2010 All Star Game from Anaheim this summer. That game is scheduled to be held on July 13th, so the two Yankee-Mariner games should serve a dress rehearsal for broadcasting baseball in 3D for the first time.
The biggest obstacle for most DIRECTV subscribers will continue to be the costs involved in getting connected to a 3D TV. While 3D TV’s are beginning to trickle into stores, many will find it hard to justify spending $1,500 to $6,000 for a new TV with limited 3D content.
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