Paris, July 12th
The experience of live 3D in cinemas is one of the key technology highlights of the 2010
FIFA World Cup™, that came to an end last july 11th in South Africa. By offering sports fans a new layer of excitement for viewing sports on a big screen in a collective environment, 3D projections in cinemas are a fast emerging product Europewide in the vibrant market for digital services.
Eutelsat Communications got high positive return on consumer appetite for satellite-delivered world-class events in cinemas and public venues.
Working with key players in 3D development, including Sony, Eutelsat has optimised the
FIFA World Cup™ as a commercial platform for 3D viewing in out-of-home venues.
Several matches played in South Africa have been transmitted in 3D across Europe through Eutelsat satellites and shown on cinema screens in 19 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Russia, Poland, Nordic countries and the Baltics, with a total calculated time over 250 hours of 3D transmissions. Signals have been broadcast in Europe through ATLANTIC BIRD™ 3 and W7 satellites.
Over 200 of an expanding network of more than 400 digital cinemas are enabled to
receive the live 3D signals using equipment provided, installed and managed in real time by Eutelsat in collaboration with OpenSky.

Source: Eutelsat