ESPN 3D Production of 2011 NBA Finals Featuring the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks Available on Sky 3D in UK, Irish Homes and Pubs
Latest Collaboration between 3D Television Leaders in Bringing More 3D Sports to UK and Irish Fans
CLICK HERE OR ON IMAGES BELOW TO DOWNLOAD IMAGES OF ESPN 3D COVERAGE OF THE NBA FINALS ON SKY 3D
ESPN ESPN and Sky 3D are again collaborating to bring UK fans more top sports in 3D, with the announcement that they have reached an agreement for ESPN’s 3D production of the 2011 NBA Finals – between the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks – to be shown live on Sky 3D.
ESPN’s 3D coverage, that began last night, saw the Miami Heat stave off the Dallas Mavericks 92-84 in Game 1 in Miami. The best-of-seven series will be shown live in 3D for Sky World subscribers with a Sky+HD box and a 3D TV. The NBA Finals will also be available in the more than 1500 Sky 3D pubs nationwide. ESPN HD (Sky channel 417) will feature live HD coverage throughout the NBA Finals as well.
ESPN 3D coverage of this year’s NBA Finals will originate from the US (where ESPN’s production will be live on the company’s 24/7 3D sports channel, ESPN 3D). The NBA Finals in 3D will cap a season in which ESPN produced 17 NBA games in 3D. The coverage will feature commentary from ESPN’s Mark Jones, with co-commentary and analysis from three-time NBA champion Bruce Bowen and former NBA player and three-point shooting champion Tim Legler. Coverage will utilize nine native 3D cameras including an Ultra Slo-Motion camera, a wireless hand held 3D camera and robotic cameras above and below each basket.
To reach the NBA Finals, the Miami Heat, led by the superstar trio of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh knocked off the NBA MVP Derrick Rose, the UK’s Luol Deng and the rest of their Chicago Bulls teammates to reach the Finals.
The Heat will face a determined and focused Dallas Mavericks team, led by German superstar Dirk Nowitzki and nine-time All-Star Jason Kidd. The Mavericks dispatched rising star (and 2010-2011 NBA scoring champion) Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games during the Western Conference Finals.
This syndication follows collaboration between ESPN 3D and Sky 3D to deliver live 3D coverage in the UK of ESPN’s production of the 2011 FA Cup Final on 14 May and also ESPN’s Winter X Games 15 in February. The two companies will continue to explore additional ESPN 3D on Sky 3D sports events.
“Sports have been the key driver of consumer use and adoption of technology and innovation repeatedly through the years, and that continues today with 3D TV,” said Murray Barnett, vice president, ESPN Media Distribution. “The NBA, Sky 3D and ESPN 3D are all innovation leaders in the sports world, and this collaboration will benefit fans in homes and pubs around the UK.”
John Cassy, Channel Director, Sky 3D added “We’re delighted to once again partner with ESPN to deliver an ever greater variety of 3D sport to our customers. Sky customers enjoy the broadest range of live sports in 3D anywhere. In addition to our own world-leading 3D production capability, we continue to work with other 3D innovators like ESPN to ensure we offer the breadth and depth of 3D sports content that our customers demand.”
“Watching the thrills and excitement of the NBA Finals in 3D is the ultimate fan experience,” said Dan Markham, Vice President Media Distribution, NBA Europe. ”Through ESPN’s 3D production of the Finals, Sky subscribers will get a front seat to all the action as a new NBA Champion is crowned.”
2011 NBA FINALS: ESPN 3D on SKY 3D
GAME PROGRAMME TIME CHANNEL
Game 1 Tues. May 31 Dallas at Miami 2:00AM BST SKY 3D/ESPN/ESPN HD
Wed. June 1 Game 1 Repeat 19:00 BST
Game 2 Thur. June 2 Dallas at Miami 2:00AM BST SKY 3D/ESPN/ESPN HD
Fri. June 3 Game 2 Repeat 15:00 BST
Game 3 Sun. June 5 Miami at Dallas 1:00AM BST SKY 3D/ESPN/ESPN HD
Mon. June 6 Game 3 Repeat 20:00 BST
Game 4 Tues. June 7 Miami at Dallas 2:00AM BST SKY 3D/ESPN/ESPN HD
Wed. June 8 Game 4 Repeat 20:00 BST
Game 5* Thur. June 9 Miami at Dallas 2:00AM BST SKY 3D/ESPN/ESPN HD
Fri. June 10 Game 5 Repeat** 19:00 BST
Game 6 * Sun. June 12 Dallas at Miami 1:00AM BST SKY 3D/ESPN/ESPN HD
Mon. June 13 Game 6 Repeat** 20:00 BST
Game 7 * Tues. June 14 Dallas at Miami 2:00AM BST SKY 3D/ESPN/ESPN HD
Wed. June 15 Game 7 Repeat** 20:00BST
* If necessary ** If game is played
The 3D output collaboration between Sky and ESPN reflects the commitment and leadership positions that both companies have established in 3D sports coverage around the world.
Since launching in April 2010, Sky Sports has already produced more than 100 live sports broadcasts, spanning Barclays Premier League, UEFA Champions League and international football, Aviva Premiership, Heineken Cup and international rugby, Ryder Cup and Masters golf, the PDC Darts World Championship, international cricket, and US Open tennis. Sky also made history on the 28th May 2011 when, as UEFA’s host broadcaster, Sky Sports broadcast the Champions League final in 3D for the first time. Sky’s coverage was syndicated to 19 broadcasters across the globe, including ESPN.
ESPN announced ESPN 3D – its 3D sports initiative – in January 2010, and launched a dedicated ESPN 3D network in the U.S. in June 2010. In January 2011 it announced that ESPN 3D would begin televising 3D sports all day, every day. It has already covered a wide variety of sports, including NFL American football, Major League Baseball, NBA basketball, the 2010 FIFA World Cup, X Games and Winter X Games, and more.
Saturday’s UEFA Champion’s League final at Wembley Stadium will also be available live on Sky 3D, with Sky Sports the host broadcaster for the season’s finale. This year’s Carling Cup Final was the first domestic Cup Final to be shown live in 3D.