Media Release 171717 May, 2010
FOX SPORTS TO MAKE AUSTRALIAN TELEVISION HISTORY WITH FIRST EVER 3D SPORTS BROADCAST
FOX SPORTS will make Australian television history when the Socceroos’ last home match before the 2010 FIFA World CuCupppp will be broadcast LIVE in 3D on Monday, May 24 from the Melbourne Cricket GroundGround.Ground ...
With the 2010 FIFA World Cup less than a month away, the groundbreaking broadcast of the Socceroos’ farewell match against New Zealand will utilise the latest Sony 3D production technology, offering viewers all around the country a captivating television experience they have never seen before.
FOXTEL iQ2 and AUSTAR MyStar HD subscribers with a 3D ready television will be able to watch the game in stunning 3D, immersing themselves with the sheer immediacy and visual clarity of the action as if they were on the pitch themselves.
The Australian first will screen on a specially set-up 3D channel (Channel 200) and will be called FOX SPORTS 3D. The coverage will also screen on FOX SPORTS 3HD (Channel 205) and FOX SPORTS 3 (Channel 503).
The exciting new development will add a third dimension for viewers at home, all made possible using the same Sony technology that will be used to broadcast the 2010 FIFA World Cup in 3D for various territories around the globe.
FOX SPORTS chief executive, David Malone, said: “As Australia’s leading sports broadcaster, FOX SPORTS is proud to be making history by delivering an Australian television first to viewers around the country. This live and exclusive Socceroos 3D experience is FOX SPORTS next step in an on-going quest to take the sports broadcasting experience to exciting new levels for all Australian fans.
“FOX SPORTS has championed innovation for the sports fan on-screen, from introducing Sports Active and Viewers Choice , to launching the FOX SPORTS 24-hour News Channel and making our three premium channels available in HD. As the leader in sports broadcasting, we are delighted to be strengthening our position by presenting this landmark 3D television event in an Australian first. As all Australians get behind the Socceroos on their way to the World Cup, fans around the country will now be able to experience the final home game in a revolutionary way.”
FOXTEL chief executive, Kim Williams AM, said: “Once again, FOXTEL is at the forefront of television innovation in Australia. This is an important announcement and a key step in our overall 3D development plan through the trialling of the first 3D Australian sports broadcast.
“This coverage sets a benchmark moment for Australian broadcasting in a long line of FOXTEL innovations. We continually provide our subscribers with wonderful new ways of enjoying sport at home and this special event will give viewers a fully immersive, never before seen experience, all while cheering on our national football team. Trials like this with FOX SPORTS will continue this year and next as we better develop our range of 3D skills preparing for its eventual incorporation in the FOXTEL suite of services.”
AUSTAR chief executive, John Porter, said: “AUSTAR has been a television innovator since 2000 when we were the first company in the Asia-Pacific region to launch interactive digital services. With MyStar HD, not only do regional Australians have access to the very best in both HD and SD subscription and local digital channels, but now those customers with 3D ready televisions can also enjoy the amazing experience that 3D sports can offer. FOX SPORTS and AUSTAR already offer the best sports coverage in Australia and from May 24 a whole new era for televised sports begins.”
Carl Rose, Managing Director, Sony Australia & New Zealand, added: “There is an extremely exciting future for 3D TV in Australia, particularly when it comes to sport. Viewing sport in 3D replicates the feeling of being right there at a game, while providing a completely new perspective. Sony’s expertise in creating and delivering a 3D experience is unmatched and this partnership with FOX SPORTS, FOXTEL and AUSTAR is a landmark in our roll-out of 3D technology to Australian homes.”
The live and exclusive coverage of the Socceroos’ farewell match against New Zealand will begin at 6.30pm AEST on Monday, May 24 on FOX SPORTS 3HD and FOX SPORTS 3, with coverage commencing on FOX SPORTS 3D (Channel 200) at 7.20pm AEST before kick-off at 7.30pm AEST.
About Premier Media Group Premier Media Group is Australia’s leading sports producer and broadcaster. PMG compiles and produces the FOX SPORTS TV channels, FOX SPORTS NEWS, FUEL TV, How To Channel, Foxsports.com.au and a range of video, text and statistical content for television, mobile phone and online delivery. FOX SPORTS broadcasts an average of 20 hours of LIVE sport per day into 2.2 million homes around Australia on subscription television with almost seven million potential viewers through FOXTEL, AUSTAR and OPTUS TV. Premier Media Group also produces a dedicated FOX SPORTS NEWS TV mobile phone channel and provides mobile content to all four major Australian Telco’s. The FOX SPORTS channels are also available in more than 4,100 hotels and licensed venues as well as 190,000 hotel rooms throughout Australia.
About FOXTEL FOXTEL is Australia's leading subscription television provider and is connected to almost 1.63 million homes on cable and satellite through retail and wholesale distribution. FOXTEL strives to ensure subscribers find TV they want to watch every time they switch on through delivery of more than 200 channels covering news, sport, general entertainment, movies, documentaries, music and children’s programming. FOXTEL is owned by Telstra Corporation Ltd (50%), The News Corporation Ltd (25%), and Consolidated Media Holdings Ltd (25%).
About AUSTAR AUSTAR (Australian Stock Exchange “AUN”) is the leading provider of subscription television services in regional and rural Australia, with more than 740,000 customers enjoying satellite digital television services. Internet and mobile telephony services complete AUSTAR’s product offering. AUSTAR is also a significant provider of programming in the Australian television market through its 50% owned joint venture, XYZnetworks, which owns and/or distributes Nickelodeon, Nick Jr, Discovery Channel, Channel [V], [V]Hits, MAX, Arena, The Lifestyle Channel, Lifestyle Food, LifeStyle You, CountryMusic Channel and The Weather Channel. Liberty Global, Inc., the largest international broadband cable operator in terms of Subscribers, holds an indirect controlling stake in AUSTAR.
Further Information contact: FOX SPORTS FOXTEL AUSTAR Alexandra Phillips Jamie Campbell Jill Stewart 02 9776 2416/0437 263 211 02 9813 7315/0418 269 088 02 9295 0121/0414 215 285
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