BBC confirms 3D Olympic broadcasts

The BBC has confirmed that it will broadcast some live 3D coverage to homes across the UK as part of another 3D trial during the London 2012 Olympic Games. The trial coverage will be broadcast via the BBC’s HD Channel and will include the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the Men’s 100m, and a highlights package at the end of each day.

It’s an interesting announcement in many ways, as rumours were that OBS et al were leaning away from capturing the Ceremonies that book-end the games in the format, following concerns that they simply wouldn’t show it at its best. Those fears seem to have been laid to rest now. It also means that the HD versions of the programming in question are all slated to be on BBC One and its HD mirror BBC One HD (which is, of course, the BBC’s only other HD channel) – the Corporation being very keen that HD viewers are not disenfranchised by such a minority technology.

Kim Shillinglaw, Head of BBC 3D, says: “We have always said we believe some of 2012 should be captured in 3D, and we’re delighted to confirm our offer to audiences in the UK, providing them with a new way of getting close to some of the key moments from the London 2012 Olympic Games.”