3D soccer hits pubs from April

3D TV for screening live sport will come to pubs from April.

Hundreds of pubs are set to receive the new channel Sky 3D from that date, the broadcaster announced today.

Sky will preview the new service on Sunday, with the Premier League clash between Arsenal and Manchester United filmed in 3D and broadcast in 3D to nine pubs around the UK and Ireland.

The pubs - located in London, Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Dublin - have been kitted out with some of the first '3D Ready' TV sets to reach the UK and Ireland.

Sky 3D works with all existing Sky+HD boxes and will also be compatible with all 3D Ready TVs coming to the UK and Ireland this year, including all models from LG, Sony, Samsung, and Panasonic, the broadcaster said.

Sky Sports will produce two edits of its live coverage of Sunday's game at the Emirates Stadium, one for its HD channel feed and another dedicated to 3D.

Eight 3D camera rigs will house 16 of Sky's high definition cameras, "to provide comprehensive stereoscopic coverage from all angles".

Live mixing between camera positions is promised, along with slow motion replays and innovative graphics, plus dedicated commentary for the 3D edit.

Jeremy Darroch, Sky's chief executive, said: "3D is without doubt one of the most talked-about developments in television for many years.

"Sky has always innovated to bring customers the best possible viewing experience, so we fully intend to take the lead in bringing the spectacle of 3D to the UK and Ireland."

Iain Holden, managing director of Sky Business, said: "We are incredibly pleased to be able to offer this service to our loyal customers.

"This is a great opportunity for the pub trade to offer a point of difference for their customers and giving football fans across the UK and Ireland the opportunity to experience Premier League action live in 3D."

Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports, added: "Sky Sports has a proud history of innovation, from the simple clock and scoreline in the comer of the screen through to high definition. It's fitting that we're pioneering this new, revolutionary development in broadcasting."