[Satellite TODAY 09-21-10] Australian DTH operator Foxtel plans to launch the first dedicated 3-D channel in Australia at the beginning of November, the company confirmed Sept. 20.
    Foxtel 3-D will be a mix of sport programs and live events from Fox Sports and ESPN. The 3-D Channel will be available to Foxtel’s HD subscribers who also subscribe to the sports package. ESPN 3-D sports programming will be simulcast from ESPN HD channel.
    “This channel will be a single destination for 3-D content, which will continue to evolve over time as we work with our channel partners to deliver our viewers a range of the best 3-D programming across sport, general entertainment, factual and movie programming,” Foxtel CEO Kim Williams said in a statement.
    Foxtel is trying to cement its pay-TV position in Australia with its 1.5 million direct subscribers. In May, the company announced it had signed a deal with Microsoft, which would allow households to receive Foxtel pay-TV services over the Internet and direct to television sets through Xbox 360’s online service Xbox Live. Foxtel by Xbox Live will allow Xbox 360 owners in Australia to access Foxtel channels via their Xbox 360 entertainment console.
    Foxtel is the latest in a growing number of DTH operators looking to launch dedicated 3-D channels. Other operators such as BSkyB, DirecTV and Sky Deutschland also announced 3-D initiatives in the last 12 months.