If you’re a baseball fan and DirecTV subscriber you may already be smiling about this news, and plotting a way to get yourself a new HDTV — one that is 3D ready. DirecTV will broadcast two Yankees vs. Mariners games in 3D this July, which marks a first for the MLB and the satellite TV provider. The Yankees vs. the Seattle Mariners games (July 10 and July 11) will be broadcast via a partnership between DirecTV, Yes Network (who owns the Yankees distribution rights), and FSN Northwest.
DirecTV subscribers in New York, Connecticut, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Montana and Idaho will be able to view the games in 3D — that of course if the customer owns a 3D television and 3D glasses to go with it.
DirecTV says they will provide customers with a free software upgrade to their receivers in June which will allow access to the 3D channels. The DBS will also broadcast the MLB all-star game in 3D on July 13 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. DirecTV’s Eric Shanks said the weekend games in Seattle will provide good tests of the new broadcast technology.
DirecTV plans to launch three 3D channels for subscribers, and will cover FIFA 2010 South Africa which debuts with South Africa versus Mexico on June 11.
More details on the first MLB 3D broadcast can be found at MultichannelNews and Bloomberg BusinessWeek.
