DIRECTV and Panasonic Bring 3D Home

With the recent success of 3D movies like Avatar, A Christmas Carol and Up (just to name a few), DIRECTV, arguably the world’s most popular television service, and Panasonic, a world leader in HDTV and digital electronics, announced today a strategic relationship that, for the first time, will bring 3D TV to the largest audience nationwide (18.4 million and counting).

Beginning in June, millions of DIRECTV HD customers will receive a free software upgrade enabling them to have access to three dedicated 3D channels through—ahh, their 3D television sets. That’s right, you won’t just get a pair of glasses in the mail and be good to go. You will need a 3D television set like Panasonic’s VIERA Full HD 3D TV. In fact, Panasonic will be the exclusive presenting sponsor of DIRECTV’s new HD 3D channels, which will deliver movies, sports and entertainment content.

DIRECTV and Panasonic will leverage current relationships with programming partners and movie studios to obtain new and existing 3D content. DIRECTV is currently working with AEG/AEG Digital Media, CBS, Fox Sports/FSN, Golden Boy Promotions (ooh 3D boxing!), HDNet, MTV, NBC Universal and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., to develop additional 3D programming that will debut in 2010-2011. The sponsorship will feature Panasonic branding on all DIRECTV 3D channels for a one-year period. Then you can bet every other television maker will have their 3D ready sets ready to go in 2011.