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THE National Rugby League and Channel Nine intend to use this year's State of Origin series as the launch pad for three-dimensional television coverage of sport in Australia.

As revealed in the Herald yesterday, the NRL is positioning itself as the first football code in the country to be filmed in 3D format, which is tipped to revolutionise the broadcasting of sport.

Discussions between the NRL chief executive, David Gallop, and Nine's chief executive, David Gyngell, have earmarked a match during this year's Origin series as the trial event.

The plan is for giant TV screens to be erected in public sites across the city that is not hosting the particular Origin match. ''The number of viewers would be limited but they would be part of something historic in the coverage of sport,'' Mr Gallop said. ''Imagine seeing Billy Slater fend off someone at top pace in 3D.''

The first and third matches of the series will be held at ANZ Stadium at Homebush on May 26 and July 7, with the second game in Brisbane on June 16.

Mr Gallop said cinemas, hotels and parks were being considered as potential venues to host the initial trial broadcast. In the past fortnight in Britain a Premier League soccer match and a Six Nations rugby game were shown in 3D at pubs and theatres respectively.

Like the experimental broadcasts in Britain it is understood fans would buy tickets to attend the screenings and would be given 3D glasses.

The entry of 3D sports coverage into TV at home is likely to be a longer process despite the fact that 3D TV sets will be available in Australia by April.

The United States has also conducted tests of 3D broadcasts in public settings.

The American network ESPN is launching a 3D sports network in June, beginning with the broadcast of 25 World Cup football games.

But industry observers here say that the costs associated with filming and producing events in the format will mean delays here.

Pay television provider Foxtel is working to enable 3D coverage by next year but will not be in a position by June to screen footage filmed by ESPN of the World Cup and other select matches.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/brace-for-origin-to-hit-in-3d-20100213-nxqw.html