Canal+ Invests in 3D

Pay TV network Canal+ has gone 3D. Starting April 4, the seasons first All-Sweden Stockholm Derby between teams DIF and AIK was broadcast. It marked the first time 3D was shown both on broadcast and cable TV in Sweden. For Canal+ it was a matter of growing interest from the market.

"More and more consumers and distributors were showing an interest in 3D," says Johan Kleberg, CEO for Canal+. "At the same time, there are more TV sets sold with 3D. We think it's important to be an obvious leading player out early to show our strong offering in the best quality on more platforms."

To see Canal+ in 3D, it requires a digital TV subscription that includes Canal+, a digital TV box that can handle 3D broadcasts and special 3D glasses. In other words, there is lots of hardware needed in order for viewership to increase. Another challenge is the cost.

"We want to be in front of the development, but we also need to keep in mind that technology changes take time and production costs are high at the beginning," says Kleberg.

For the Madrid Derby, Canal+ worked with Panasonic.

"The market is in a build-up phase, with all the hardware suppliers and those selling radio and TV sets in the forefront," says Kleberg. "It requires hardware for consumers to be able to access the 3D broadcasts. So it's logical for us to be open to cooperations with technology suppliers."

The next 3D broadcast, April 16, will be the El Clásico match, with Real Madrid against FC Barcelona in the Spanish La Liga.