Bell joins Shaw in offering 3D Masters coverage

Bell announced Friday it, too, will offer 3D coverage ofparts of the Masters golf tournament this weekend, making it the second provider to present that service to Canadian subscribers.

Last week, Shaw Cable announcedit would let its cable customers in western Canada access two hours a day of3D Masters coverage.

Butfew of Bell'sor Shaw'ssubscribers will actually be able to see Tiger Woods in 3D because they need to have a 3D-capable television and specialglasses, and the first such TV sets went on sale in Canada only two weeks ago.

Bell's 3D coverage will be provided toBell TV satellite subscribers who havehigh definition service. Bell's HD set-top boxes are able to receive 3D HD signals. Shaw's coverage is available to itsHD cable TVsubscribers.

So far,the only3D sets available in Canada are from Samsung. Several other makers say their 3D models will becoming soon.

"3D TV is very new technology, and few 3D sets are in Canadian homes now," said Heather Tulk, a senior vice-president at Bell. "We'll continue to expand our 3D TV lineup as more quality content becomes available."

Lack of 3D content

Analysts say the current lack of 3D content is a major stumbling block for the industry, with consumers unwilling to shell out at least $3,000 for a new TV set and glasses until there's more programming available.

Several U.S. TV networks, includingESPN and Discovery, have announced plans to launch 3D channels later this year. But it isn't clear yetwhether these channels will be available in Canada.

Last month,a spokesperson for Rogers, Canada's largest cable provider, told CBC Newsthe company wasin talks to bring 3D programming to its Canadian customers and waslooking intothe possibility of offering a dedicated 3D channel.

Bell's 3D Masters coverage is being provided from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday on Bell TV's channel 1000. Shaw's 3D coverage runs for two hours daily every afternoon the tournament is underway onShaw channel 318.

"The limited 3D coverage will focus on the back nine holes of Augusta National Golf Club, allowing Shaw customers to experience the Masters in a completely new and engaging way, using different camera angles produced by the Masters," Shaw said in a newsrelease.

Regular high-definition and standard-definition Masters coverage is being offered byall cable and satellite providers on CBS, Global, RDS or TSN.