Jason Dachman of Sports Video Group had it first today, that ESPN has decided to end operation of ESPN 3D at the end of the year. ESPN 3D began in June 2010 and produced various events in the third dimension for viewers. However, 3-D TV sets have never really caught on.
TV manufacturers miscalculated demand and despite pushing the technology, consumers did not want to spend more money on TV’s after the digital conversion to high definition. In addition, the 3-D sets were expensive and asking people to spend more money in hard economic times was unrealistic.
So we have the statement from ESPN in regards to ESPN 3D.
Due to limited viewer adoption of 3D services to the home, ESPN is discontinuing ESPN 3D
We are committing our 3D resources to other products and services that will better serve fans and affiliates
Our production was superb…and viewer feedback positive…but that’s not enough to continue on with the service
Nobody knows more about sports in 3D than ESPN, and we will be ready to provide the service to fans if or when 3D does take off
ESPN produced The Masters, the BCS National Championship Game, several college basketball and football games in 3-D, but the demand never caught on. ESPN 3D now goes into ESPN oblivion along with the ESPN cell phone.
