How Does 3net Compare to Sky 3D?

Jun 23, 2011 16 Comments by admin

3D channels are popping up all around the world but it is 3net in America and Sky 3D in the UK which are attracting the most attention from 3D producers, distributors and industry analysts. Whilst 3Dfocus.co.uk features many stories about Sky 3D, this article looks at what 3D TV audiences are watching in America on the IMAX, Sony and Discovery joint venture channel 3net. In terms of programming, how do they compare?

Launched in February of this year, 3net has focussed on original commissions with a distinctive documentary flavour. With such major brands supporting the channel, 3net need to satisfy high audience expectations with the inherent big budget requirements that comes with that in a country where, like the UK, there is still a very limited 3D audience.

So what is on the 3net schedule and how does it to compare to Sky 3D?

3net flying monsters How Does 3net Compare to Sky 3D? 3net’s July schedule has been sent to 3D Focus and one can instantly determine that the 3net programming is considerably different to what is broadcast on Sky 3D. BSkyB often “supersize” their 2D HD productions where there will be a 3D version of a show from a 2D HD channel. For example "You can also watch this programme in 3D on Sky 3D," which offers great promotional opportunities for the channel. Sky 3D has a close affiliation with Sky Arts HD (the Director of Sky 3D, John Cassy, is also the Director of Sky Arts) which broadcasts many 'event based' programming such as concerts, opera, festivals and ballets which are frequently filmed in both 3D and 2D to broaden the audience. Examples of Sky 3D event bestival 3d post box1 How Does 3net Compare to Sky 3D? based shows include Got to Dance 3D, Live On Air: Elbow 3D, Kylie 3D: Aphrodite Les Folies and Mike Figgis Lucrezia Borgia-Live 3D, (Bestival in 3D will be broadcast at the end of the summer) all of which were Sky One HD or Sky Arts HD commissions rather than Sky 3D commissions. BSkyB also own the broadcast rights to many major sports events which are now broadcasting live in 3D (over 100 so far). Sky 3D also broadcast most major 3D movies (the world premiere of Avatar was shown on Sky 3D).

In summary, Sky 3D is led by sports, movies, arts and stunning documentaries leveraging its relationships with Sky One, Sky Sports, Sky Movies and Sky Arts to promote its programming to a wider audience.

Sky is increasingly commissioning documentaries specifically for Sky 3D, the most famous of which is probably Flying Monsters 3D. Recently, Britain’s only 3D channel broadcast Britain & Ireland From the Sky 3D, Treasure Houses of Britain 3D and are currently working on a sequel to Flying Monsters 3D – a documentary about penguins. In July, Sky 3D will broadcast a stunning documentary (I watched it in a press preview) which is under emabrgo but due to the nature of its content, it is a programme that could only be broadcast on Sky 3D.

But it is the documentary genre that 3net have really moulded their schedule around rather than sports, movies and event programming. Discovery and IMAX's influence is clear with a skew towards natural history, reality and travel documentaries rather than big event based live shows. 3net is very much a stand alone channel that does not cross promote its programmes on the portfolio of Discovery networks or follow the same "supersizing" model of BSkyB.

Programming throughout July on 3net

You can see what the Sky 3D schedule consists of on the 3D Focus Sky 3D schedule but let's look at the 3net schedule. Most shows on 3net are original commissions. For example, the channel premiered the big budget China Revealed 3D series when it first launched. A one hour documentary series, each episode explores a different wonder of China’s vast landscape, such as the Great Wall of China and the Li River.

‘Ultimate Wave Tahiti’ is a 3D documentary following surfing champion Kelly Slater who seeks out the best waves breaking on Tahiti's famed surf site, Teahupo'o.

3D travel series, ‘Jewels of the World 3D’ focuses on some of the ‘jewels’ of the world such as Rome, Venice and the Swiss Alps. America’s National Parks 3D is another 3D travel show which explores major American parks such as Yellowstone and Yosemite.

The world’s first ‘sportsumentary’ BullProof by Digital Revolution Studios is being shown throughout the month (you can read an interview with the makers here). 3net bullproof 3d box How Does 3net Compare to Sky 3D?

Experience 3D is a documentary series based on the thrill that the 3D format can offer including the front row of a rollercoaster in one episode! Quite how that theme park experience translates to a 42” 3D TV I don’t know but I am sure it would be a vast improvement of the Rollarcoaster Thrills in 3D DVD I own! Other episodes in the Experience 3D series include NY Ships, Race Cars and Rock Climbing.

In the Qube 3D is the world’s first 3D entertainment news series – a magazine style format produced by Sony Pictures Television in association with and Chomp Productions which includes reviews of 3D movies, 3D gadgets and 3D gaming.

High Octane is an extreme sports show featuring jet skiing, free running and mountain biking. Building the Brand is a Discovery style series which goes behind the scenes of the production of brands such Rolls Royce, Oyster Marine Yachts and Trek Bycycle.

Feeding Time is a 3D reality/documentary series about the animals in 'some of the world’s best zoo's'.

Being an IMAX venture, you can expect a healthy selection of IMAX productions.

IMAX shows Into The Deep, Ocean Wonderland and Dolphins and Whales are all being repeated throughout July as well as The Last Buffalo – where World renowned artist/inventor, William Lishman, forges a colossal metal statue, which is intercut with images from the Alberta Badlands.

NASCAR is a 2004 IMAX 3D production which is narrated by Kiefer Sutherland. It goes behind-the-scenes of the NASCAR tournaments.

I hope that gives you a flavour of what is currently being broadcast on 3net. Both Sky 3D and 3net are clearly setting the benchmark for quality 3D broadcasting and whilst the 3D movie industry is suffering some major knocks right now, it could be 3D TV that becomes the outlet for new, innovative 3D productions.

One positive note to finish on. During the recent 3DTV Masters conference in London, Vision 3 producer Natalie Samson, who worked on Flying Monsters 3d and is currently working on its sequel, said that during a meeting with 3net, she was told that the channel is screaming out for good content. David Pounds, CEO of Electric Sky and distributor of 3net programme BullProof, echoed her comments, even going as far as saying that not enough producers are grabbing the opportunity in what is a sellers/producers market right now.

So there is the incentive! If you would like to get your 3D show on 3net or Sky 3D visit the dedicated producers pages listed in the More Information section below.