Is this the future of the World Cup?
ESPN’s use of the World Cup as a launching pad for broadcasting sports in 3D has been highly publicized. If the demand for the extra dimension is as high as some are predicting the World Cup could lead to an entirely separate broadcast station, ESPN 3D. Yesterday, ESPN released their schedule for what matches would be broadcast in 3D (full schedule listed below) but the question is, does anyone really care?
On the surface 3D is taking over the globe. Avatar became the highest grossing movie of all time thanks to the extra money from 3D sales and more and more films are following the trend. The first generation of televisions with the extra dimension are being released by Samsung and tests show the practical success of broadcasting live events in 3D.
But what these projections fail to take into consideration is the social element of the World Cup, or any sporting event for that matter. Few people will be watching the marquee matches by themselves in front of an HDTV, most will be out at bars, parties, fan fests or having a few friends over with chips and beer. Now, do these fans, who enjoy the community of the World Cup as much as the game being played on the pitch want to celebrate the winning goal with plastic glasses so large they rival ski goggles?
Soccer in HD is a revelation, so I’m not arguing that technology can enhance the viewing experience but only if there’s no additional effort on my part. It adds no clarity and if the ball is flying out of the screen is the game really more exciting? If Rooney scores to give England it’s first World Cup in 44 years will anyone remember that they saw it in 3D?
What ESPN is missing is why people watch the World Cup. Flying graphics, HD and high-profile studio talent enhances the experience but it’s the 22 players, a ball and goal that make me tune in. With the additional equipment required the viewer’s focus is pulled from the match and over to the novelty of Drogba looking like he’s about to kick you in the face.
So maybe I’m wrong and in 2014 all my World Cup parties will be filled with people looking like they just got out of high school chemistry. But if that’s the future I’ll be going kicking and screaming.
But for those who are excited about this new technology check out the schedule embedded below (courtesy of ESPN).
| Date | Time (all ET) | Match |
| Fri, June 11 | 9:30 a.m. | South Africa vs. Mexico |
| Sat, June 12 | 9:30 a.m. | Argentina vs. Nigeria |
| Sun, June 13 | 2 p.m. | Germany vs. Australia |
| Mon, June 14 | 7 a.m. | Netherlands vs. Denmark |
| Tues, June 15 | 2 p.m. | Brazil vs. North Korea |
| Wed, June 16 | 9:30 a.m. | Spain vs. Switzerland |
| Thurs, June 17 | 7 a.m. | Argentina vs. South Korea |
| Fri, June 18 | 9:30 a.m. | Slovenia vs. United States |
| Sat, June 19 | 7 a.m. | Netherlands vs. Japan |
| Sun, June 20 | 2 p.m. | Brazil vs. Ivory Coast |
| Mon, June 21 | 2 p.m. | Spain vs. Honduras |
| Tues, June 22 | 2 p.m. | Nigeria vs. South Korea |
| Wed, June 23 | 2 p.m. | Ghana vs. Germany |
| Thurs, June 24 | 9:30 a.m. | Slovakia vs. Italy |
| Fri, June 25 | 9:30 a.m. | Portugal vs. Brazil |
| Sun, June 27 | 2 p.m. | Round of 16 match |
| Mon, June 28 | 9:30 a.m. | Round of 16 match |
| Mon, June 28 | 2 p.m. | Round of 16 match |
| Fri, July 2 | 2 p.m. | Quarterfinals |
| Sat, July 3 | 9:30 a.m. | Quarterfinals |
| Sat, July 3 | 2 p.m. | Quarterfinals |
| Tues, July 6 | 2 p.m. | Semifinals |
| Wed, July 7 | 2 p.m. | Semifinals |
| Sat, July 10 | 2 p.m. | 3rd place match |
| Sun, July 11 | 2 p.m. | Finals |
Its not everyones cup of tea but the technology enhances it and watching a sport event in 3D doesn’t mean balls flying at you. ESPN has done test of this since 2005 with college football, golf, etc. Also these tests are done with huge groups of people not just one dude in his living room. Sky Sports shows many of their matches in 3D pubs across England. And its not just ESPN several other companies are launching their own network so we might actually be seeing Premier League games in 3D via DirecTV before FSC HD since Fox Sports in conjuction with several other companies are launching a 3D channel. Watching a game on my phone isn’t my thing but ESPN Mobile has been very succesful. Heck every channel ESPN launched has been wildly succesful. So I wouldn’t bet against this being hugely popular but you are entitled to not like it and you always have the option to watch the games in HD.
By the way, big fan of your name.
I could be wrong. I was wrong about people paying extra to see movies in 3D. I think 3D is great in certain settings, I just don’t think the World Cup is the correct setting. Now, if technology evolves to the point where 3D glasses are not needed than I am all for it. My problem isn’t necessarily with the extra dimension but with the glasses.
I will see a match in 3D when I get the chance and my mind may be changed. Thanks for the response.
Thanks, the World Cup may not be the best setting for 3D, but I’m sure other sports would look cooler in 3D than others. My thing is don’t knock it until you try it. I get what your saying about the glasses, if you rarely if ever wear glasses. Most of the glasses with the newer 3Dtvs are a lot cooler looking than those in your picture above.
Isn’t seeing a match in 3D a pre-requisite to writing an article about it?
Otherwise you come off as an old geezer circa 1998 ranting about how email is a stupid new fad and he’s never going to use it.
Personally, I’d be very curious to watch a match in 3D, but then again I’m what they call an early adopter of new technology.
Anyway, the point of all this is to say that you have to watch at least 1 match in 3D before you can have an actual opinion about it.
Agree. 100. Percent.
I can assure you that the only reason 3d media is pushed by the big production companies is the inability to pirate it. Sports will always have the boundary between playing and experiencing via spectating, immersion in the experience of playing is only hinted at, never indulged, that is the power of the sporting event.
Amen. 3D will not make a crap game suddenly interesting, nor will it make football any more beautiful.
Here in Australia, we have a channel called SBS which is a free-to-air channel and broadcasts live football, such as every game of the World Cup, in HD. We also have Setanta sports on pay tv, which broadcasts live football (though not the World Cup) in SD with pretty rubbish quality sound and picture. However, if there’s a different UCL or Europa league game on each channel at the same time (the only time both channels show a live game each at the same time), my decision of which to watch would simply be based on which game I want to watch – I couldn’t care less if it’s in HD or not.
If ONE soccer fan in the United States exists out there who has the equipment and access to the 3D channel, I’d be very very surprised. If you fall into the basket and plan on watching the World Cup in 3D, please post a reply to this comment.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
I’ve got the equipment. 3Dtv’s aren’t much more expensive than a HDtv without 3D. I plan on watching it in 3D gaffer.
I just bought a Samsung C8000 55″, it was only about 350 more than their normal HD model. So the prices are reasonable. Also, you can turn the 3d off and on, and the picture is beautiful on either option. DirectTV will be delivering firmware updates next month right on time for South Africa/Mexico kick-off. I can’t wait.
I have a 3d tv and glass and can’t wait to watch it. Get with the program man!
This 3D fad is a joke
Nobody in this economy is going to buy new 3D TV’s and nobody is going to want to wear glasses to watch something
It is a waste of time and space for us to have these companies running to this worthless technology
3Dtvs aren’t much more expensive than an HDtv without 3D. And at this point most of the tv’s that are coming out are 3D compatable. And in this “economy” tv sales have gone up tremendously.
The US has more than 300 million people, some people will buy them.
These companies are simply doing this because they believe there is a market for it. It will either be a waste of time and space or a moneymaker. It’s called basic economics. Nobody’s being forced to buy it.
A typical comment from someone who can’t see much further than their nose. Wait a few years and you’ll be watching everything in 3D too at which point you will long forget about calling it a fad. You’ll be too busy calling some new technology a fad.
@HDSnob, I hate the fact that no one here has been able to successfully tackle you. But you’re right. The economy’s bad and more people are going to be sitting at home watching TV. So the number of TV units sold will rise and rise.
And since the 2010 World Cup is already setting the pace by being the first ever on the African continent, ESPN (and other guys) who are giving people the “choice” of “experiencing” it in 3D is taking a step in the right direction! Voila!
I ordered my Samsung Samsung C8000 55? today (like you Wes A) and I had planned to buy a regular LED but for $100 more i got the 3D and I bought it with the promise it would be delivered by Jun 10 so for me watching it in 3D is going to be FANTASTIC and my 12 year old cant wait also….
iDiva, that is awesome. You will be very happy with your purchase. The picture on 2d/3d is amazing. June 11th can’t come soon enough!!!!