/ 03.21.2011 12:00AM
Verizon’s FiOS TV à la carte’s ESPN 3D
BRISTOL, CONN., and NEW YORK: Verizon’s FiOS TV will offer ESPN 3D as part of
a package or separately for $9.99 a month, the network said today. FiOS plans
to launch ESPN 3D on April 5 to coincide with stereoscopic coverage of the
Masters golf tourney and National Basketball Association playoffs. ESPN 3D will
be available to FiOS customers who subscribe to the services Ultimate HD
package, or individually for $9.99 a month.
Verizon announced its 3D plans for FiOS a year ago, a week after Cablevision
carried the first live stereoscopic telecast in the United States. Comcast then
announced live distribution of 3D to its hi-def subscribers with stereoscopic
coverage of the Masters. Cox also carried the event. ESPN 3D launched last June
11 on DirecTV, to accommodate the FIFA World Cup soccer events. Verizon launched
regular 3D service on FiOS last November with on-demand movie titles delivered by
Avail-TVN.
Including the FiOS footprint, ESPN 3D is now available to more than 63 million
homes. The network says it’s “on track to feature nearly 100 events in its
first year.”
The Masters begins Wednesday, April 6 at 3 p.m. Eastern with the Par 3 contest
and wraps Saturday, April 16 with the final round. The NBA playoff coverage
starts with Game 1 of the final round on Saturday, April 23, and concludes with
the Conference Finals Wednesday, May 25.
-- Deborah D. McAdams