NFL IN 3D GETS A BIG STEP CLOSER

When we said less than two weeks ago that the age of 3D broadcasts of NFL games is coming sooner than anyone realizes, some of you scoffed. Though the NFL likely won’t dip its toe into the movie-theater 3D experience on a widespread basis during the lifetime of the current television deals, the fledgling technology is taking a huge step forward. A very huge step forward. For more, we direct your attention to CFT. Our guess is that the NFL will use the availability of 3D broadcasts on a widespread basis as leverage in the next round of negotiations with the networks, and that the league ultimately will carve out the ability to export select games to theatrical 3D presentation. By the following round of contracts, the league likely will expand significantly the use of the technology. As we see it, 3D broadcasts on a for-pay basis in theaters won’t replace the current television model. Instead, it will supplement the availability of several games per week for free, just as the ability to purchase access to all of the games via satellite did nearly 15 years ago. The difference this time around is that, if fans are flocking to the cineplex in order to watch the local team’s game, the ratings will take a hit, making the rights to broadcast the games via the old technology less valuable.