Sky has revealed that 200,000 viewers watched its 3D broadcast of Sunday’s FA Premier League match between Manchester Utd and Blackburn Rovers.

The figures have doubled week-on-week following the 100,000 viewers who saw its first 3D TV game between Manchester Utd and Chelsea on 3 April.

Brian Lenz, Sky’s director of product design and TV product development, revealed the figures at the 2010 NAB Show in Las Vegas.

“Over 1,500 pubs are now showing FA Premier League football in 3D and 200,000 people watched the game between Manchester Utd and Blackburn earlier today,” said Lenz.

Sky3D launch on 3 April ahead of the final games of the FA Premier League season and the broadcaster has been aggressively directing consumers to the channel in both homes and pubs. 

Lenz added that Sky was trying to keep costs down by re-using as much existing SD and HD kit to broadcast in 3D as possible. It has built on an existing agreement with Sony to buy all the cameras, switches and editing equipment required to deliver 3D TV.  

The news comes as other broadcasters and content providers including ESPN, Fremantle and Miami Heat underlined their commitment to developing 3D content with Sony.        

HBS, host broadcaster of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, also explained that a lack of technology and expertise accounted for its decision to broadcast just 25 of the tournaments 64 matches in 3D.

Speaking at the conference, HBS director of product development Peter Angell said it was vital not to try to deliver too much 3D content before the necessary systems and resource are in place.

“We had to make some key decisions and due to the availability of technology and trained staff we felt 25 games was the maximum we could safely assume were possible to show in 3D,” said Angell.

“We have two units with kit and people so tried to do what we could in 3D in the cheapest and most effective way possible.”  

Both Telegenic and AMV Visual’s 3D OB trucks are being shipped out to South Africa on 1 June, ahead of the tournament’s 11 June kick off.

The World Cup will not be available in 3D to UK homes because the rights have been secured by the BBC and ITV, which do not offer 3D channels.       

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