Sky’s long-awaited 3D channel will launch on April 3 showing the Premier League clash between Manchester United and Chelsea.
Over a thousand pubs and clubs across the UK and Ireland have already signed up for the Sky 3D service, invested in 3D-ready TV sets in a deal brokered by Sky with set manufacturer LG and will be showing the live match next month.
The launch ofthe channel, which is Europe’s first dedicated 3D channel, on Sky’s Electronic Programme Guide, will mean that Sky customers who have a 3D TV set, will also be able to access the channel in their homes from next month. The channel is compatible with Sony, Samsung, LG and Panasonic3D sets.
The channel, which will be listed on the HD part of the programme guide and has yet to be assigned a number, can only be accessed by Sky customers who subscribe to Sky’s top channels and HD pack and have 3D TV sets and 3D glasses. Those customers need to call Sky’s general customer service number with the details of their TV in order to activate the channel.
Initially the 3D channel will only show a further fivePremier League football matches before the end of the current season (May 9), which have yet to be announced, and the rest of the airtime will be taken up by promotional snippets from the best of Sky’s 3D content – which will become available on an unconfirmed date during the second half of the year. When the channel does roll out fully into homes, it will offer a range of movies, sport, documentaries, entertainment and arts content – which have all been specially shot in 3D.
The channel will actually appear on the Sky menu before April 3 and customers with 3D TV sets and the right package can contact Sky during this period to access the preview content.