Sky Deutschland to show first live HD 3D production in Germany

Bundesliga in HD 3D exclusively on Sky
“¢ German HD 3D premiere: Bayer Leverkusen vs. Hamburger SV live on 14 March
“¢ DFL and Sportcast to produce Bundesliga top match in 3D
“¢ Existing Sky HD Receivers already ‘3D ready’

MUNICH — Sky Deutschland (XETRA: SKYD.DE) is making TV history again and showing an HD production in 3D for the first time in Germany. On 14 March, the Bundesliga top match between Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburger SV will be produced in 3D by DFL (German Football League) and Sportcast and will be shown to a select number of viewers in Munich by Sky Deutschland.

Brian Sullivan, Deputy CEO of Sky Deutschland: “HDTV is doubtlessly the most exciting development for all TV viewers, and Sky is leading the way in Germany and Austria with the most comprehensive content in true HD. Now we’re going one step further, with the first live HD 3D production in Germany. As the leading innovator in TV in Germany and Austria, Sky is proud to show the first live 3D production in Germany and to give an early glimpse as to how the already fantastic HD viewing experience will evolve even further in the future.”

Sky HD is the revolution today, with more and more people opting for the best picture and sound experience available anywhere. HD 3D is still in the future, but when it does come Sky HD customers will already be ready, as current Sky HD receivers will be capable to receive any future HD 3D service.

The first HD 3D production in Germany will be shown to an exclusive audience, including Sky expert Franz Beckenbauer, at a non-disclosed location in Munich. Sky will also produce in 3D in parallel to the HDTV production with several cameras and in the course of this, also employ an extra presenter (Jessica Kastrop) and an extra commentator (Kai Dittmann) alongside an additional director (Volker Weicker). After the first commercial live HDTV broadcast worldwide in MPEG4/H.264 on 3 December 2005, Sky Deutschland is making TV history again with the first German HD 3D production premiere.