Soccer

AUSTRALIA’S SUMMER FOOTBALL RETURNS HOTTER THAN EVER ON FOX SPORTS

High-powered recruits have set the nation alight with football fever as the Hyundai A-League returns for its biggest campaign ever LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on FOX SPORTS this weekend.

The Hyundai A-League welcomes three huge international stars and a brand new team for undeniably the most anticipated season in its eight-year history. Continue reading »

The Socceroos are still in with a chance after drawing with Ghana over night 1-1.

Again Harry Kewell was red carded leaving the Aussies with only 10 men. Australia scored their first goal in the first ten minutes, Serbia’s came later in the first half. The second half was scoreless.

For Australia to remain in the World Cup and proceed to the next round, they need to score 3-0 against Serbia on Thursday morning our time. Their chances will be helped further if Ghana beat Germany in their match, also played on Thursday morning our time.

Given that Serbia beat Germany 1-0 a few days ago, and Australia were thrashed by Germany 4-0, the Socceroos will have to play the game of their lives on Thursday morning to pull a win against Serbia.

We know they can do it!

Australia Vs Serbia airs live on SBS ONE at 4.30am Eastern Thursday June 24.

Ghana Vs Germany airs live on SBS TWO at 4.00am Eastern Thursday June 24. Replay on SBS ONE 6.30am.

Yes! I was up at 4am to see the Socceroos play Germany in their 2010 World Cup Campaign.

By half time, the score was 2-0 and hope was fading, but a victory for Australia was not impossible. Not that far into the second half, Germany scored again, taking the score to 3-0. Once the 4^th goal was scored, it was nearing 6am and time for bed.

Thousands braved the cold – and here it was the coldest night this year so far – for outdoor screenings at places like Darling Harbour in Sydney – one of six official World Cup outdoor viewing locations in the world (so they say). The coverage was made available at certain 3D enabled cinemas as well.

We won’t know until tomorrow how many people tuned it at 4am to watch the game, as the coverage counts as Monday programming. A ratings “day” runs from 2am – 2am the next morning. As for SBS shares, only 6pm – 12 midnight count towards the shares a network earns.

Needless to say, it’ll be one of the most watched shows on TV at 4am for a long time, helped by the long weekend in all states except WA.

Australia plays Ghana on Saturday (post updated).

World cup coverage continues on SBS and SBS 3D, with the final July 11.

The FIFA Soccer World Cup is under way.

Last night’s opening game between South Africa and Mexico was the fourth live sporting event in Australia to be broadcast in 3D. The 3D coverage was available free to air in parts of Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Wollongong and Newcastle on digital channel 40 as well as channel 200 on Foxtel and Austar.

Like other 3D sporting events televised so far, the 3D soccer coverage is actually different to the main coverage you will see on SBS ONE. As there are additional 3D cameras used to capture the 3D vision, the pictures and angles are not the same, nor are the replays. The 3D coverage has its own commentators.

One thing that stands out in watching the game is the incredible drone from thousands of those horns the spectators use throughout the match. The constant drone was quite pronounced in the 3D coverage, making it sometimes hard to hear the commentary, while the main SBS coverage it was more of a background noise.

The 3D coverage of the soccer featured no ads. While SBS ONE played ads during half time, the 3D coverage continued, showing what the teams were up to during the break and recapping the fist half of the game.

South Africa and Mexico ended up in 1-1 draw.

Next 3D match is Australia Vs Germany, 4.15am Monday June 14.

If you have Foxtel IQ2 or My Star HD from Austar and are in one of the many areas that cannot receive the free to air 3D channel on digital channel 40, then you can still see the 3D World Cup Soccer broadcasts, assuming, of course, you have a 3D TV.

Foxtel’s channel 200 which has broadcast two live 3D sporting events is now providing the SBS 3D broadcast of the World Cup.

15 soccer games will be broadcast in 3D, including the Socceroos Vs Germany match at 4.15am Monday June 14.

The full list of 3D games can be seen here.

Having the 3D soccer broadcasts on Foxtel and Austar will make them available to many who would otherwise not be able to receive the 3D trial free to air. This especially includes regional areas who now will be able to see the soccer in 3D via My Star HD through Austar.

As SBS is a free to air channel, you won’t require the sports package to receive channel 200, but you will need to have subscribed to the HD package to allow access to the HD channels.

The 3D coverage of the World Cup soccer starts this Friday night with a live 3D broadcast of South Africa Vs Mexico. On Monday, the Socceroos’ 1^st match against Germany will be in 3D. A total of 15 matches will be broadcast in 3D throughout the tournament.

Between the 3D coverage, SBS ONE, SBS TWO and SBS ONE HD, SBS will have the most comprehensive coverage of the World Cup ever seen in Australia, if not the world, accordingly to SBS Managing Director Shaun Brown.

“With commentary in 13 languages on radio, streaming online and on-demand, SD, HD and 3D coverage on television, Australian football fans will not miss a moment in what is shaping up to be an exciting World Cup tournament.”

All games shown on SBS will be live into all markets and time zones, meaning programming around the soccer events will fit around the soccer broadcasts. In WA, for example, World News Australia will be seen at the earlier time of 5.30pm with soccer programming to follow from 6.30pm, seen at 8.30pm in the eastern states.

The 3D broadcast uses the same temporary channel – digital channel 40 – as the State of Origin is using for Nine 3D. It will be available to viewers in Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide – although, just being in one of these areas does not guarantee being able to receive the 3D channel, as not all relay transmitters carry the extra signal.

The following 15 matches will be broadcast in 3D:

South Africa v Mexico Live Friday June 11, 11.45pm AEST
Germany v Australia Live Monday June 14, 4.15am AEST
Netherlands v Denmark Live Monday June 14, 11.30pm AEST
Argentina v Korea Live Thursday 17, 11.30pm AEST
Netherlands v Japan Live Saturday June 19, 11.30pm AEST
Ghana v Germany Live Thursday June 24, 4.15am AEST
Portugal v Brazil Live Friday June 25, 11.45pm AEST
1B v 2A (2) Live Monday June 28, 4.15am AEST
1E v 2F (5) Live Monday June 28, 11.45pm AEST
Quarter Final 1 v 3 (A) Live Saturday July 3, 4.15am AEST
Quarter Final 2 v 4 (B) Live Saturday July 3, 11.45pm AEST
Quarter Final 6 v 8 (D) Live Sunday July 4, 4.15am AEST
Semi Final A v C (1) Live Wednesday July 7, 4.15am AEST
Semi Final B v D (1) Live Thursday July 8, 4.15am AEST
Final W1 v W2 Live Monday July 12, 4.15am AEST

Source: TVT

This one almost slipped away unnoticed! No fanfares, no cakes, no parties… how could I forget?

6pm June 1 marked the first birthday of SBS’s second digital channel SBS TWO. SBS TWO replaced the SBS News channel which previously had only been broadcasting international news bulletins for most of the day.

While the International news is still available until 6pm on SBS TWO as well as SBS ONE in the mornings, SBS TWO has allowed SBS to offer more content then it could just on the one channel.

SBS TWO as a multi channel does not exactly set the ratings world on fire – with shares of around 0.4% on average of the total TV viewing audience, and about 10% of those of SBS ONE, but it has been able to compliment SBS ONE at times where sporting commitments overlap – such as in July 2009 when both the Tour de France and the Test Cricket were on at the same time – SBS TWO allowed one event to be shown while the other was aired on SBS ONE.

With the World Cup Soccer starting June 11 (and SBS remind us of that date after every ad break at the moment) anti-siphoning rules have been temporarily relaxed to allow SBS to show different games on both SBS ONE and SBS TWO concurrently – meaning viewers with access to both channels will have the choice of two games to watch live. Games played on SBS TWO will be repeated on SBS ONE at a later time. Games on SBS ONE will also be seen in HD on SBS ONE HD.

Selected soccer games will also be shown in 3D on SBS 3D, digital channel 40 – the same channel Nine is using for 3D coverage of the State of Origin, the second game of which occurs on June 16.

Happy Birthday, SBS TWO – albeit a day late!

At 6.30pm Eastern, Foxtel’s temporary 3D channel 200 broke from its advertising loop that had been playing all day to go to the pre-game show in the lead up to the “friendly” soccer match between Australia and New Zealand. The game was the last for the Socceroos before they head to South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The coverage featured a new Fox Sports 3D logo as well as the countdown to the 3D coverage of the main event. Broadcast in side by side 3D, when viewed on a 3D TV with 3D glasses, both the countdown clock featuring rotating 3D glasses and the Fox Sports 3D logo appeared to be several inches in front of the screen.

The pre-game show itself was not in 3D except for a brief moment when they showed what the footage would be like through one of the cameras. A Sony representative was there to explain how Sony 3D Tvs would be available in June and that they had not rushed them out yet so they could make sure they were perfect. Meanwhile, Samsung has 3D TVs out now, and the coverage for Throng was viewed on a Samsung series 7 55” LED 3D TV.

As the countdown continued, there were many well-wishers shown including PM Kevin Rudd for the Socceroos World Cup campaign. Some of the team were shown the 3D facilities and were impressed with the effects.

The first ad break on the channel featured a lengthy Nike ad based around soccer and the World Cup. That was followed by the first ever 3D ad in Australia, by Jetstar. The Jetstar ad featured planes flying at the viewer, as well as 3D letter promoting their 3D sale – which was essentially about being able to buy tickets to selected destinations, on selected dates, for travel in March 2011, for just $3. The Jetstar ad ultimately features four times during the overall broadcast.

Come 7.30pm, and 3D coverage began. The layout of the players in each team were shown in 3D, as well as some 3D footage of the Australians training. Australia first, followed by New Zealand.

With the game underway, it was hard to actually focus on what was going on with the soccer with your attention being dragged away by the depth of the 3D images. People on the sidelines looked like they were in front of your TV, while the highlight for the first 15 minutes of the game was seeing sea gulls fly past and almost at the cameras. The commentary team made many comments about the birds, a familiar feature at the MCG, but even moreso dramatic flying out of your TV screen in 3D. The commentary team also made mention of the fact that this 3D broadcast was an Australian first many times during the coverage.

As for the game itself, New Zealand scored first just past the 15 minute mark. The first half was relatively sedate -even for a soccer match – with the 3D sea gulls and side line views being the highlight of the coverage. During the second half, the Socceroos ramped up their campaign, but it was not until the 57^th minute another goal was scored. With scored levelled at one all, the game featured a few near misses form both sides.

At 90 minutes, a 3 minute extension was granted. Still at one-all, it looked like the game was going to end in a draw. Then – according to the clock on screen – in the 93^rd minute, a goal was scored by Australia. End result – Australia 2, NZ 1. For the last ten minutes or so, it had been raining in Melbourne.

The 3D coverage concluded showing highlights of the match before finishing at around 9.30. The game itself repeats overnight four times before Fox Sports 3D shuts down for now. At the end, seeing people move onto the field, as well as the side line shelter for the team was a 3D stand out.

All in all, I’d have to say a successful trial broadcast, and 3D coverage will only grow from here. Foxtel is yet to announce future 3D events at this stage, but expect to hear a lot more in coming days, weeks and months.

Now – all eyes turn to Nine’s coverage of the Rugby League State of Origin between NSW and QLD on Wednesday night (May 26, from 7.30pm). Then – its back to soccer as SBS takes on 3D coverage for the FIFA World Cup 2010.

Fox Sports 3D is on the air on channel 200.

Featuring an advertising loop until live coverage starts at 6.30pm eastern, the channel is presented in high definition side by side 3D. On a 3D TV, you simply select side-by-side 3D viewing, put on your glasses and enjoy.

Those who do not have a 3D TV and do have the sports package, the HD package and an IQ2 will be able to see the 3D channel, but will see two split screens representing the left and the right vision that a 3D TV interlaces and interacts with the 3D glasses. The image on the screen rapidly flicks between the left and the right image while the glasses block the opposite eye from seeing the opposite image. This gives the illusion of 3D.

Here at Throng, in trialling the Samsung series 7 LED 55” 3D TV, the 3D imagery of the ad loop is spectacular, and really gives the viewer the impression that they are looking through a window straight into the soccer field.

While Nine’s broadcast of the State of Origin in 3D on Wednesday is a free to air TV first, the broadcast on FOX Sports 3D is the Australian first broadcast of a 3D event.

It screens tonight on the specially set-up 3D channel (Channel 200) called FOX SPORTS 3D. The coverage will also screen on FOX SPORTS 3HD (Channel 205) and FOX SPORTS 3 (Channel 503). You can record it to your IQ to relive the experience.

FOX SPORTS’ LIVE and EXCLUSIVE coverage of the Socceroos’ farewell match against New Zealand will begin at 6.30pm AEST this Monday, May 24 on FOX SPORTS 3HD and FOX SPORTS 3, with coverage commencing on FOX SPORTS 3D (Channel 200) at 7.20pm AEST before kick-off at 7.30pm AEST.

Visit Throng later tonight for a review of the game and coverage.

SBS has confirmed that as many as 15 World Cup Soccer matches will be able to be seen in 3D including Australia Vs Germany on June 14.

The 3D soccer matches will be seen on digital channel 40 and replayed on a loop until the next match airs. Digital channel 40 is the same channel that Nine will use for 3D coverage of the three State of Origin Rugby League matches – with the first airing on May 26.

And if you were tossing up whether to buy a 3D TV or not, then Foxtel also have come to the 3D party announcing that they will broadcast the soccer match between the Socceroos and New Zealand on Monday May 24 in 3D on FOX Sports 3D – channel 200.

But what will you need? In order to view the Foxtel match, you will need a 3D TV, an IQ2, sports as part of your package and have paid the extra to be able to receive HD channels on Foxtel. It does not look like Foxtel will charge any extra for channel 200. While this is a one off event, they will have it on air before Nine’s State of Origin and there will no doubt be many more event covered in 3D and broadcast on Foxtel.

Meanwhile, 3D TV on free to air will utilise temporary spectrum allocated for 3D for a period of just two months. Digital channel 40 will be used by both SBS for the soccer and Nine for the State of Origin. All you need to see the free to air digital offerings will be a 3D TV. Nothing more. The special allocation covers Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Nine have stated that Wollongong and Newcastle will be covered for the State of Origin in 3D but we cannot confirm if those two cities will be included in the 3D soccer broadcasts.

And then what? After these major sporting events are over, no doubt there will be many others announced in 3D. Like the uptake of digital TV and high definition, the driving force initially will be sports. Already a number of overseas events are being covered in 3D, some of which may end up here as well on Fox Sports 3D or otherwise.

And what of all those movies lately on 3D? Well, no doubt we will see them in 3D first via Blue Ray, then maybe premium 3D movie channels.

3D is here and whether it succeeds in home entertainment is yet to be seen. It will ultimately come down to available content as to the speed of uptake. Certainly a good time for sports fans though.