Big Picture Big Sound

Back in 2010, I bemoaned the fact that ESPN was starting to have second thoughts about the viability of ESPN 3D. One factor was the cost of filming and broadcasting live sports in 3D. The other issue was the lack of consumers with 3D HDTVs. With the holiday shopping orgy behind us and CES 2011 in full swing, ESPN has dropped the big one that sports fans were dying to hear. Starting on Valentine's Day (that's February 14th for those who don't have that someone special to spend $90 on roses for), ESPN 3D will be broadcasting 3D content 24/7.

ESPN 3D was able to secure Sony as a corporate sponsor in 2010 (kudos to Sony), but we'd like to see the other manufacturers (especially VIZIO which loves to sponsor professional sports programming) get in the game. ESPN 3D broadcast 60 live events in 2010; something that barely registered with the viewing public. The past few weeks have been fantastic for sports fans with live NBA games in 3D (nothing like having Dwight Howard or Blake Griffin take off above the rim and end up in your lap), and the BCS Championship Game between Auburn and Oregon (Go Ducks!).

ESPN 3D has a number of NBA games in January and a lot of the Winter X Games ready to roll. Before you start planning your 3D sports viewing schedule for the next few months, be aware that the 24/7 roll-out is going to be a combination of live sporting events (limited in number) and pre-recorded events that have already taken place.

As much as I love the World Cup, I really don't want to watch games that are six months old again and again; especially when I already know the outcomes and wasn't too thrilled with the quality of play this time around either.

As a sports junkie (and someone with a 3D HDTV in my living room), I don't want endless repeats of games that are months old. I want SportsCenter and I need it badly. If ESPN 3D is going to attract the hardcore sports viewer, it is going to have to broadcast its award-winning 30-minutes of sports news at least twice each day in 3D. That is where the audience exists.

If sports can't sell 3D, nothing will. It put millions of HDTVs in living rooms and man-caves all over the world, so that is clearly where the focus needs to be. The NHL/NFL/NBA/NASCAR/MLB must inject some steroids into this, or it will end up as a cool idea that nobody really saw.

I can't fathom being stuck with Jersey Shore as my 3D alternative. Nobody needs to see the "situation" that close up.

For more information:

• www.espn.com