[Satellite TODAY 09-29-10] Virgin Media plans to join BSkyB in the 3-D broadcasting market in the United Kingdom, Virgin Media announced Sept. 28.
    The cable broadcaster will launch its 3-D Movies On Demand offering and also unveiled an exclusive 3-D TV partnership with Samsung Electronics. Under the agreement, Samsung 3-D TVs sold in the United Kingdom will feature Virgin Media content, and the companies also will explore joint 3-D showcases and further marketing opportunities.
    “As we’ve already seen with the take-up of HD programs, viewers are continually looking for new ways to experience their favorite shows, and with the addition of 3-D On Demand, they will be able to watch eye-popping movies whenever they want,” Cindy Rose, executive director of digital entertainment at Virgin Media, said in a statement.
    BSkyB plans to launch its Sky 3-D channel Oct. 1, broadcasting movies and live sport. It will be available to any Sky+HD home that has a 3-D-ready TV.     Virgin Media trails BSkyB in terms of pay-TV subscribers in the United Kingdom, with less than 3.8 million digital TV subscribers. BSkyB reported nearly 9.8 million pay-TV subscribers in the United Kingdom and Ireland at the end of June.
    Brian Lenz, director of product development, BSkyB, recently told Satellite Today that 3-D TV must be done well to have an impact on the market. “We have to make sure we have an approach and an operational model which produces quality all the time. That is on our side. We need to evangelize to the industry as a whole. The thing that will kill 3-D is if it done badly. If it is done well, we will have a good future ahead of us. If it is done poorly, it is not going to work. I think the other side on a day-to-day basis, it is about communication. We know the market gets a lot of different messages out there. There are a lot of different headlines around 3-D. We need to cut through the noise overall, and ultimately see 3-D. That is why we went to the pubs around. We need to make people understand the 3-D they see in cinema, they will see at home,” he said.

Foxtel Takes 3-D Leap of Faith    Satellite Today   September 21, 2010
[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…

Developers Look to Build off Hollywood, World Cup s 3-D Success at IBC    Satellite News   August 26, 2010
[Satellite News 08-26-10] For the past two years, 3-D broadcast technology for the average consumer was mostly discussed in the future tense, providing satellite broadcasters and developers with a promising glimpse into a world beyond HD. However…

News Corp. Issues $445 Million Loan to Sky Deutschland    Satellite Today   August 4, 2010
[Satellite TODAY 08-04-10] News Corp. has issued 340 million euros ($446 million) in financing to help pay-TV subsidiary Sky Deutschland turn its fortunes around in the German broadcast market, the two companies announced August 2. The…