[Satellite TODAY 01-06-10] ESPN, Discovery Communications, Sony and IMAX revealed plans to launch dedicated 3-D HD networks in separate statements released Jan. 5.
    ABC Sports, which owns ESPN, said that it will launch the ESPN 3D channel to showcase a minimum of 85 live sporting events during its first year, including the first 2010 FIFA World Cup soccer match featuring South Africa vs. Mexico.
    ESPN 3D also will broadcast 25 other World Cup matches as well as the 2011 BCS National Championship Game and the ESPN Summer X Games in 3D.
    "ESPN’s commitment to 3-D is a win for fans and our business partners. ESPN 3D marries great content with new technology to enhance the fan’s viewing experience and puts ESPN at the forefront of the next big advance for TV viewing, " ABC Sports President George Bodenheimer said in a statement.
    Separately, Discovery Communications, Sony and IMAX signed a non-binding letter of intent to establish a joint venture to develop their own 3D television network in the United States, according to a statement from the companies, released Jan. 5.
    Discovery will provide network services, including affiliate sales and technical support functions, as well as 3-D television rights to Discovery content and cross-promotion across its portfolio of 13 U.S. television networks. Sony will provide advertising and sponsorship sales support, and will seek to license television rights to current and future 3-D feature films, music-related 3-D content and game-related 3-D content, while providing cross-promotion at retail stores. IMAX also will license television rights to future 3-D films, promotion through its owned-and-operated movie theaters across the U.S., and a suite of proprietary and patented image enhancement and 3-D technologies.
Governance for the joint venture will be handled by a board of directors comprised of members from each of the three companies.
    The companies said they would explore international distribution opportunities in selected markets in the future.