AT&T Internet Service Dropping ESPN 3D Due to Small Demand
In a report recently released in Consumer Reports, AT&T Internet Service, and particularly AT&T U-verse, has decided to delete ESPN-3D from its list of current channels. The channel was dropped at the beginning of August, just before the scheduled showing of the last night of the 17th Edition of the X Games, which were being held in Los Angeles. The telecast was originally scheduled to be shown in 3D. AT&T had been offering the ESPN channel in 3D as an option to its customers for a $10 charge. Now, however, it looks like the demand was simply not there, and, as a result, AT&T did not choose to renew their contract with ESPN 3D. AT&T did say, though, that it plans to continue to offer 3D programming on-demand.
The ESPN 3D channel was originally launched in time for the FIFA World Cup last year. Since then it has aired various 3D programs. Included in the 3D broadcasts have been the X Games, NCAA college basketball games, and games from Major league baseball, NBA Basketball and NFL football. One of the highlights was the 3D broadcast of the NBA Finals. The report stated that Comcast, one of the top high speed internet service providers, and also DirecTV will both continue to carry ESPN 3D at no additional cost to their customers. According to insiders, AT&T’s move reflects the high prices currently being charged for 3D television sets. As a result, 3D TV is still being held to a small niche market until prices come down.