The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is set to put a halt to its 3D broadcast trials which have been ongoing for two years. The 3D programme it says will end in November after a Doctor Who special. The main reason behind this new development has been lack of interest in the 3D broadcasts from audience.
The 3D
programme will be off for three years according to BBC’s head of 3D, Kim
Shillinglaw. She told Radiotimes.com that the programme has not lived up to
expectation with the British audience. The BBC has previously broadcasted
popular programmes like the London 2012 Olympics and the Queen’s speech using
the 3D technology.
It is
estimated that 1.5 million UK households now own 3D enabled televisions but
only half watched the Olympics opening ceremony in 3D. It is also reported that
the Queen’s speech attracted only about 5% of potential viewers.
“I have
never seen a very big appetite for 3D television in the UK,” she said. “Watching
3D is quite a hassly experience in the home. You have got to find your glasses
before switching on the TV. I think when people watch TV they concentrate in a
different way. When people go to the cinema they go and are used to doing one
thing – I think that’s one of the reasons that take up of 3D TV has been
disappointing.”
She however
said BBC will still be on the lookout after three years of break from the
programme. “We will see what happens when the recession ends and there may be
more take up of sets but I think the BBC will be having a wait and see. It’s
the right time for a good old pause. I’m not sure our job is to call the whole
3D race,” said Shillinglaw.
I guess
there will be an improvement when people can watch without the hassle of
putting on the 3D glass. Who wants the burden of putting on glass just to watch
TV?
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BBC to stop 3D broadcasts, says viewers are not interested