Virgin Media launches 3D service

Virgin Media has joined the 3D bandwagon today – launching 3D Movies On Demand, and starting to offer TV programmes via its on demand service in 3D as well.

Virgin customers wanting to experience this new service will need all the kit of course – a 3D-ready set top box (V HD or V+ HD), TV and glasses.

A survey released yesterday by Deloitte found US viewers less than enthusiastic about the whole 3D experience, but the UK market should see 3D publicity ramped up now with Virgin’s announcement coming just days before Sky launches the first European 3D channel on October 1st, starting with Ryder Cup coverage.

In a recent weekly column for MediaTel Newsline, Raymond Snoddy commented on the realism that surrounds the 3D market: “While 3D cannot be ignored it will take a lot longer than HD to be anything other than a minority pursuit.”

“No-one is prepared to even hazard a guess on how long it will take to pay off the enormous upfront equipment and production costs. It’s just something that innovators (innovation is in the culture of both Sky and Discovery) feel they have to do. It also neatly doubles up as a strategy for pricing rivals out of the market.”

Virgin Media has also announced an “exclusive 3D TV partnership with Samsung Electronics” today. Samsung 3D TVs will feature in Virgin Media stores up and down the country, and there will be joint 3D showcases.

MediaTel Group is hosting its first ever TV summit on 25th November, with ITV’s Adam Crozier, Walker Media’s Phil Georgiadis and Ebiquity’s Nick Manning.

Click here for more information, or to book your discounted ticket.