ESPN’s Third Dimension

by James Robles

The next wave of home entertainment has risen high and ominous outside American doorsteps, and in 3D no less. If a 60-inch, high-def flat-screen wasn’t enough to persuade your friends that “game day should be held at my house”, your problems have just begun. It now seems a worthy host will need to provide 3D glasses alongside the chips and dip.

A minimum of 85 sporting events will be showcased on ESPN’s new 3D network this year, including the FIFA World Cup kickoff between Mexico and South Africa on June 11^th. NBA basketball, collegiate football and basketball will accompany the Summer X Games in ESPN’s 2010 lineup.

“ESPN marries great content with new technology to enhance the fans viewing experience and puts ESPN at the forefront of the next big advance for TV viewing,” sais ABC Sports President, George Bodenheimer.  ESPN has committed to running the network through June 2011, giving audiences a full year to support or reject the futuristic game day experience.

The popularity of 3D television has yet to be proven, although early testing of this year’s Ohio St.-USC football game garnered encouraging feedback. Bryan Burns, VP of Strategic Business Planning and Development at ESPN said, “the positive numbers were off the chart and the wow factor was intense.”

The 3D network requires the purchase of a new, more expensive 3D capable TV as well as the accompanying glasses. With only one million 3D televisions now in households, the U.S. home entertainment industry is expecting a massive 2010 production of 3D televisions.

Aside from hosting sports fans looking more ready to witness a nuclear explosion then a fourth quarter comeback, ESPN’s 3D network prompts other concerns. Will this technological revolution diminish the good ol’ days of tailgating and the engaging experience of watching a game first hand? Why bother going to a game when you can nearly experience one within the comfort of your own living room?

During booth reviews, will officials be granted the same three-dimensional views that fans at home may be privy to? The idea of a referee strapping on a set of 3D goggles before going under the hood is hilarious if not rampant overkill.

Regardless of the controversies new entertainment technologies can often spur, there developments are an unavoidable positive.  Whether at home or in the stands, a game is a game, meant to excite and entertain. The third dimension of home entertainment hasn’t set its anchor quite yet, but following current trends towards bigger and better, it seems it just may.