Nine 3D

For those with 3D TVs, Nine are offering a trial 3D channel offering daily London 2012 Olympic highlights in 3D, which run from 11am daily during the Olympics. The trial 3D channel can be seen on FreeView channel 95, and is available to viewers in selected areas over the course of the Olympics July 28-August 13, 2012. Continue reading »

Nine have now provided details of their 3D coverage of The London 2012 Olympic Games. Press release follows.

The Nine Network 3D Olympic Trial channel will be available from July 28 on digital channel 95. Continue reading »

Nine have applied for approval from ACMA and Senator Stephen Conroy to run a stand alone 3D channel during the 2012 London Olympics. Approval is needed, as the 3D channel is essentially a second HD channel, requiring extra bandwidth.

The possibility of a 3D broadcast for the 2012 Olympics was first reported here.

It is proposed the channel would run from 11am – 4pm daily during the Olympics and provide highlights of the competition.

The highlights package will most likely draw upon the same package being offered in the UK. UK Olympic rights holder BBC are offering a daily 3D highlights package as well as 3D coverage of a very selected number of live events during the Games.

Nine’s 3D channel will again most likely appear on freeview channel 40, like the 3D trials in 2010 did for the Soccer World Cup and State Of Origin Rugby League Series that year.

If approved, it will most likely only air in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Newcastle, and there is no word if any of this content will also be seen on Foxtel’s permanent 3D channel, 201 for IQ-HD subscribers.

Pic: Telegraph.co.uk

Updated March 28, 2013

Here is the list of digital channels updated as at March 28, 2013. All channels in SD (standard definition), unless otherwise stated.

ABC
ABC1 – 2 & 21
ABC2 – 22
ABC3 – 23
ABC News 24 – 24 (HD Channel). Also on 20 is some areas.
ABC HD channel 20 phased out to make way for ABC News 24 on channel 24.

SBS
SBS ONE – 3 & 31
SBS TWO – 32
SBS ONE HD – 30 (HD Channel, simulcast of SBS ONE)
SBS also transmits channels 33 and 34 (until early December 2012) which are clones of SBS ONE
NITV – 34 from December 12, 2012

Seven
Seven – 7, 70 & 71
7TWO – 72
7mate – 73 (HD Channel)
7HD that used to be on 70 no longer exists.
74 – TV 4ME – Information / infomercial / paid program channel

Nine
Nine – 9
GO! – 99
GEM - 90 (HD Channel)
GEM replaced 9HD or Nine High Def ch 90.
Extra – 94 – Information / Infomercial / paid programming channel from March 26, 2012
Extra2 – 95 – appeared as part of Nine’s digital channel matrix March 28, 2013. So far, as I can only say it is the Sydney market only.

Ten
Ten – 10
ELEVEN – 11
ONE – 12 & 1
SD simulcast of ONE formerly on ch 12 was dropped to make way for ELEVEN
TVSN – Channel 14 (Home Shopping)

Community
Ch 31, TVS and the like now digital in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth on digital ch 44

Special / part time
TV 4ME – Essentially 24 hour infomercial channel launched December 2011 on channel 74 in 5 metro and regional QLD, part of Seven’s multi-plex
Extra – Essentially 24 hour infomercial channel launching March 26 2012 on channel 94 in at least the 3 eastern state capitals, part of Nine’s multi-plex
3D Channel – 40 (HD, used only for 3D trials in 2010, not currently on the air)
3D Channel – 95 (HD, used for London Olympics daily 3D highlights during the 2012 Olympics)
Extra2 – 95 – appeared March 28 (Sydney market).

Regional (eastern states).
Prime
Prime Main Channel – 6, 60 & 61
7TWO on Prime – 62
7mate on Prime – 63 (HD Channel)
Prime HD channel 60 no longer exists. Note: 7mate on ch 60 in some markets.
64 – TV 4ME. Regional NSW, VIC, ACT. Essentially same as 74.

NBN/WIN
Main Channel – 8
GO! – 88
GEM - 80 (HD Channel)
Extra – 84

SC10
SC10 Main channel – 5
ONE HD – 50 (HD channel).
Eleven – 55

Special
Television 4 / TV 4ME – 64. Launched September 18, 2011. Only those who are in Prime markets will get this channel.
Extra – 24 hour infomercial channel launched March 26 2012 on channel 84. Known as WIN GOLD in WIN markets.

Digital channel summary.

Main channels
Nine – 9.
Seven – 7, 70 & 71
Ten – 10
ABC1 – 2 & 21
SBS ONE – 3 & 31. Available in HD on ch 30.

Digital Channels (in launch order)
ABC2 – 22 Launched 2007
ONE – 1 & 11 (at the time, now 1 & 12) Launched March 27, 2009
SBS TWO – 32 Launched June 1, 2009 (replacing SBS News channel)
GO! – 99 Launched August 9, 2009
7TWO – 72 Launched November 1, 2009
ABC3 – 23 Launched December 3, 2009
ABC News 24 – 24 Launched July 22, 2010
7mate – 73 Launched September 25, 2010
GEM – 90 Launched September 26, 2010
ELEVEN – 11 Launched January 11, 2011
Community – 44 Various dates for various mator markets
TV4 – 74 – Launch December 2011. Five city metro and regional QLD
Extra – 94 – from March 26, 2012 – Syd / Melb / Bris
TVSN – 14 – September 24, 2012. Metro markets only
NITV – 34 – December 12, 2012.
Extra2 – 95 – from March 28, 2013 (Sydney market only so far – subject to confirmation from other markets).

Still to come:
SBS THREE – 33 – possible for late 2013 / 2014.

Regional (NSW, VIC, ACT)
Main channels
WIN, NBN - 8.
Prime - 6, 60 & 61
SC10 - 5, 55
ABC1 – 2 & 21
SBS ONE – 3 & 31. Available in HD on ch 30.

Digital Channels
ABC2 – 22
ONE - 50
SBS TWO – 32
GO! - 88
7TWO – 62
ABC3 – 23
ABC News 24 – 24
7mate – 63
GEM – 80
ELEVEN – 55
TV4 – 64 Launched September 18, 2011. Prime regional markets only. Read more here.
Extra – 84 from March 26. NBN regionals, can’t confirm WIN at this point.

Rumours are surfacing that Nine will be offering multi channel coverage of the London 2012 Olympics when the event kicks off late July this year, including the possibilty of 3D broadcasts.

If the rumours prove to be true, this would be the first time that an Olympic Games has been covered in a multi channel envoronment on free to air television in Australia.

In 2008, when Seven broadcast the Beijing 2008 Olympics, months before the networks were allowed to offer digital secondary channels, the coverage was single channel only, simulcast in HD on the then 7HD channel.

The minimum we should expect from Nine is that the London 2012 Olympics will be simulcast in HD on their HD channel GEM. Should the network opt to provide regular programming during the Olympics on its digital channels, the viewer backlash could severely hurt Nine’s brand.

But, if Nine provide three channels of Olympic Games coverage this year – using the main channel Nine, and digitals GO! and GEM, the network would enjoy significant positive viewer feedback and long term flow on effects that could help the network topple Seven by winning the 2012 ratings year.

Should there be a free to air 3D broadcast, we may see the revival of the trail 3D channel 40, last used in 2010 for State Of Origin, Soccer World Cup and AFL Grand Final broadcasts. 

For the now small percentage of viewers who do not yet have digital TV (less than 10%), anit-suphoning laws will guarantee most major events featuring Australian competitors, as well as the opeing and closing ceremonies, will still be seen on Nine’s main channel. The digitals would offer supplementary coverage, giving free to air viewers a much broader choice of events to watch.

Meanwhile, Foxtel are now heavily promoting their 2012 Olympics package which offers 8 distinct dedicated HD channels for the event. Promotions on Foxtel include a daily countdown of the number of days until London 2012 (204 as of January 5, 2012).

Nine are yet to release detailed broadcast information relating to the 2012 Olympics.

The Olympic Games for 2012 run from July 27 to August 12, 2012.

Picture: http://www.london2012.com/

The NRL Grand Final will be able to be seen in 3D for Foxtel subscribers who have an IQ2 and a 3D TV this Sunday October 3 from 5pm.

The Foxtel broadcast makes use of the now dedicated 3D channel, channel 206. The channel’s name has changed to NINE 3D and will remain that way until early Monday morning.

The channel currently cannot be seen unless you subscribe to both the sports and HD teirs, but will be visible on Sunday for all IQ2 subscribers, just like ABC News 24 (channel 202) is.

The Foxtel retransmission means that people outside of the areas offering the 3D terrestrial trial on free to air digital channel 40 will be able to see the NRL Grand Final in 3D.

Areas that are unable to receive free to air digital channel 40 but able to see it on Foxtel includes most of Newcastle, The NSW Central Coast, The Gold Coast, and outlying areas of Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

The NRL Grand Final will also be broadcast in HD on GEM free to air channel 90 (metro) and channel 80 (regional).

Communications regulator ACMA are still waiting for SBS’s report into the trial free to air 3D broadcasts earlier this year that saw the Rugby League State of Origin and the World Cup Soccer broadcast in 3D.

Nine have handed in their report albeit late, which was due one month after the trails concluded on August 18. The late handing in of the report, however, has meant that Nine may not be able to broadcast the NRL Grand Final in 3D while ACMA reviews the reports.

ACMA engineers are likely to review the reports in coming weeks, but are unable to issue any further trial 3D TV broadcast licenses until they complete the reviews. The timing will most likely mean that Nine will not be able to broadcast the NRL Grand Final in 3D this year.

Meanwhile, viewers in Australia can see the US Open Tennis men’s and women’s final in 3D through Foxtel on channel 206, which will later also be used for ESPN 3D coming soon. In order to see the channel, subscribers must have both the sports package and an IQ2 with the HD package.

Source: The Australian.

With the State of Origin is over and the FIFA World Cup about to finish, what will be next for 3D TV broadcasting in Australia?

In the past two months, there has been a lot of hype surrounding 3D TV, with Fox Sports the first broadcaster ever to bring a 3D live sporting event to Australian screens on May 24, followed by Channel Nine two days later with the first State of Origin.

In total, three State of Origin games were broadcast in 3D on a special trial 3D free to air channel under a two month temporary license arrangement. A total of 15 World Cup Soccer games were presented in 3D on the same channel, and thanks to an agreement with Foxtel, they were also able to be seen through pay TV allowing many in areas not able to receive the 3D free to air channel to view the events. Also broadcast in 3D was one French Open tennis match, and a soccer friendly between Australia and New Zealand.

But with the free to air 3D channel’s trial run due to end July 19, what next for 3D TV in Australia? More 3D TV’s are being released to the market – LG’s Infinia and much publicised Sony models about to hit stores – without regular broadcast content being available and little in the way of 3D on Bluray, take up may be slow.

Even before Nine and Harvey Norman announced the State of Origin in 3D, Ten were considering the idea of 3D citing they would need more spectrum to be able to offer 3D TV. Just after Nine’s first broadcast event, Seven announced they too were looking into the prospect of 3D for events like the ALF Grand Final, the Melbourne Cup and the Bathurst 1000. Recently, Ten have suggested the three commercial broadcasters work together and share the expense of providing 3D events in a single joint venture rather than each going it alone.

So far, however, there have been no announcements from any broadcaster of future definite events to be covered in 3D. This means, that once the temporary 3D channel on both Free to air and Foxtel are switched off for now, there will be no broadcast of 3D content until such time one of the broadcasters commits to airing an event in 3D.

After such high momentum over the past two months, the lack of future 3D events will only add to those who believe 3D is nothing more than a fad and will not go further than random trial and one off broadcasts.

At midnight, Wednesday May 19, 2010, the first Australian free to air 3D television broadcasts began on digital channel 40 in Sydney and Melbourne. The broadcast contained 3D footage of both cities as well as promotional material for the up and coming State of Origin to be seen in 3D on May 26.

Before you rush out and buy a 3D TV just for the State of Origin, you will need to make sure you can actually receive the 3D signal on channel 40. Most digital set top boxes, TVs and PVRs will actually be able to acknowledge the channel, but you won’t be able to see it in 3D without a 3D TV. Furthermore – you may see pictures on that channel if your digital receiver is MPEG-4 enabled.

On the channel Nine web site detailing what you need to know about the 3D broadcasts, it simply says that you have to be in the 3D broadcast area to receive the 3D telecast of the State of Origin on a 3D TV. This, however, will still cause confusion for many viewers.

The 3D trial broadcast is being sent out to five east coast cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Wollongong and Newcastle. But just because you are in these areas and receive all of their TV channels does not mean you will be able to see the 3D channel at this stage. In most television broadcast areas, television signals are distributed through many television transmitters to ensure the signal reaches everyone in the area, but the 3D channel is not initially going to be sent out through all transmitters.

For example – the Sydney television area also covers the Central Coast of NSW. There are also a few relay transmitters in Sydney to cover some geographically challenged areas like the eastern suburbs. At this stage, digital channel 40 – the 3D channel – is only being transmitted out of the Gore Hill transmitter. Same place that community TV channel TVS comes from. If you are in Sydney, you may be able to pick up the signal by having your aerial pointed to Gore Hill. As for the Central Coast – you will only get the channel if you are lucky enough to be able to pick up Sydney TV from Gore Hill as none of the four Central Coast transmitters are carrying channel 40 so far.

In Newcastle, the signal is only coming out of two “inner” transmitter sites according to Nine affiliate‘s NBN‘s web site – Charleston and Cooks Hill. That means that a lot of Newcastle will not be able to get the signal either. Some residents may be able to point their aerials to these two sites, but otherwise, a lot will miss out. Back to the Central Coast – who get both Sydney and Newcastle TV – miss out altogether unless in areas that can pick up the signal from Sydney or Newcastle.

Viewers in the Gold Coast may have a similar problem in not being able to receive the Brisbane signal, while Melbourne’s and Wollongong’s also only comes out of the one transmitter at this stage as well.

The trial may roll out to further sites allowing more people to see the 3D transmissions, but there are no details so far to confirm that fact.

For those who can receive digital channel 40, the first free to air 3D broadcast of the first State of Origin match will be historic, and will be well worth the effort to view. That will be followed by SBS’s coverage of the Soccer World Cup in 3D in June.

The first State of Origin airs on Nine (channel 9), Nine HD (channel 90) and Nine 3D (channel 40) at 7.30pm, Wednesday May 26, 2010. The second June 16, the third July 7.

Check out this video recorded from channel 40.