BBC claims bandwidth will limit 3D Olympics broadcast

BBC claims bandwidth will limit 3D Olympics broadcast

The BBC has announced that it plans to broadcast several elements of the Summer Olympics in 3D, including the opening and closing ceremonies and the 100 metres men’s final.

Although the news of the 3D broadcast is exciting for some, others are disappointed at the fact that only one live sporting event will be broadcast in 3D. The BBC claims that it is limiting the live 3D coverage to ensure that there is sufficient bandwidth to broadcast the rest of the events in HD.

Included in the 3D coverage will be nightly highlights of events that have taken place throughout the day, however, many viewers with 3D ready sets will be disappointed with the bandwidth issue. Recent research by Ofcom has concluded that as many as 6 per cent of British homes have a 3D-ready TV set and many will have been hoping that the Olympics will be one of the first major events to be broadcast in the format.

BBC’s director, Roger Mosey, wrote a blog post on the subject, stating, "The BBC's overall approach to 3D has been very much on the lines of an experiment around special events like Wimbledon and Strictly Come Dancing.”

He added that the BBC has also shelved plans for a 3D channel after it found that demand from viewers was less than expected. He blogged about the bandwidth issue and how the organisation had to give priority to HD: "If we had, for instance, decided to do a whole night of athletics in 3D on Friday 3 August, then we'd have lost swimming and other sports from BBC HD.”

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