Tipped by SmartHouse back in August 2009, Foxtel has already spoken to BSkyB in the UK about accessing 3D content for use in Australia.
Currently the UK broadcaster is planning to deliver a 3D channel by March 2010, according to executives who attended the CES in Las Vegas, where 3D TVs, set-top boxes and Blu-ray players were shown by several vendors.
Foxtel Chief executive Kim Williams said, "Foxtel's HD set-top units have already carried 3D signals in our premises with terrific picture clarity."
Foxtel has been approached by several vendors, including Samsung, Sony and Panasonic, with a view to partnering with them in the launch of 3D TV in Australia.
Last year Samsung formed a close relationship with Foxtel with the company giving away a Foxtel set-top box and a subscription to Foxtel services.
Williams said, "I expect that Foxtel will bring its first test broadcasts in 3D to subscribers in 2011."
A statement issued by the company said that Foxtel had been closely monitoring 3D developments since January of 2009 and that it had an active program for 3D broadcasting in its Engineering Development Labs.
Williams said, "3D is an exciting development in broadcasting and Foxtel HD set-top units have already carried 3D signals in our premises with terrific picture clarity. Foxtel will continue to run laboratory trials on 3D transmissions over the next year."
He added, "I expect that Foxtel will bring its first test broadcasts in 3D to subscribers in 2011 when full product details will be revealed. It will be an exciting addition to our range of high quality HD products, which now encompasses the most comprehensive offering in Australia with fifteen 24-hour HD channels (including all mainstream sport and movie channels) and which will see the first all HD transmission of the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games via four HD Channels in February—an exceptionally exciting Australian and world first for any Olympic broadcast."
In an exclusive interview with SmartHouse at the CES in Las Vegas, David Thodey, the CEO of Telstra, which owns 50 per cent of the shares in Foxtel, said that content was set to play a key role in Telstra's future product offering and that Foxtel was an important vehicle for delivering content, "including 3D content".
SmartHouse has been told that Foxtel, along with several other free-to-air broadcaster, is keen deliver both AFL and NRL games in 3D in 2011, with Telstra set to back Foxtel in a major pitch to secure more sporting content for the broadcaster.
In the US last week, Chase Carey, the President and CEO of Direct TV, said that he was keen to partner with Panasonic in the production of 3D content. He also said that he was open to working with Australian broadcasters in the production and delivery of 3D content.
While 3D television has been discussed by many vendors over the years, it is only now that the technology is getting a push along in an effort to get consumer to replace their 3-4 year old flat panel TVs.
