The 2010 World Cup kicks off in just over a week, so you may be wondering where is the best spot to catch all of the action. While Americans don’t follow soccer as closely as the rest of the world, there are certainly hardcore fans here at home. If you are a big FIFA World Cup fan, the best place to be this summer is in front of a 3D TV and connected to DIRECTV satellite service.
The 2010 World Cup will be the first widespread 3D experience, as ESPN 3D debuts on DIRECTV channel 106. Current plans have ESPN offering 25 matches in 3D, including three out of four quarterfinal games, both semi-final matches, and the World Cup Final on July 11th. Other matches will be found on ESPN (DIRECTV channel 206), ESPN2 (channel 209), and your local ABC station.
DIRECTV and Comcast are the only providers who have made the commitment to air ESPN 3D. I wouldn’t expect others to get on board at this point, as the advertising and promotional window has nearly closed. But will DIRECTV see an increase in subscribers due to the World Cup being offered in 3D?
It doesn’t seem likely, as the product itself is just now starting to trickle into stores. While 3DTV was the big story kicking off the year at the CES in Las Vegas, its price will keep many on the sidelines for at least a year or two. Current 3D TV models start in the area of $1,500 and quickly jump up to the $6,000 range for large screens. It remains to be seen if Americans will be willing to shell out thousands on the latest 3D models when many have just purchased their first HDTV.
Other big pay television companies seem to be taking the wait and see approach when it comes to 3D content. While Comcast 3D has offered limited programming in the 3D format, Dish Network has not said a thing about 3D. Other cable television companies like Time Warner and Cox are still struggling to keep up with the demand for HD channels, so 3D is probably not really on their radar screens at this time.
The World Cup is also not the best sporting event to capture the imaginations of Americans. If DIRECTV really wants to make a big splash with 3D, the best place to do so would be with their NFL Sunday Ticket package.
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I have DirecTV but I don’t have a 3D TV. Does this mean I cannot get access to the soccer world cup??