ESPN, Discovery announce plans for 3-D TV

Two major U.S. networks ESPN and Discovery have plans to create stations that send 3-D TV signals into American homes.

ESPN's new channel could be operating as early as this year's first FIFA World Cup soccer match on June 11.

It plans to offer live sports events, including 25 World Cup matches, basketball and football on the 3-D network, to be launched initially in the U.S.

The network would be dormant when live events are not showing, but is promising at least 85 3-D sporting events in 2010.

Viewers would need a special TV and 3-D glasses.

The ESPNannouncement on Tuesday was followed by a joint announcement by Discovery Communications Inc., Canada's Imax Corp. and Sony Corp. to launch a 3-D network by 2011.

The network would operate full time, but the partners have not yet said which programs might air in 3-D.

Imax's role will be to licence television rights to future 3-D films and provide image enhancement and 3-D technologies.

The network aims to launch in the U.S. market but later expand into international markets.

Both ESPN and Discovery were early proponents of high-definition TV and HD sports coverage helped drive many early purchases of HDTV sets.

Major electronics makers such as Sony Corp. and Panasonic Corp. are planning to market 3-D capable TVs this year.