Mavericks' 3-D HD Telecast Uses Satellite Signal For First Time

FSN Exec Says Clippers-Mavericks 3-D HD Event Exceeded Expectations

Tuesday's Clippers-Mavericks game, which was broadcast in 3-D HD to 305 people at the Magnolia Theatre in Dallas, marked the first time a "satellite signal -- not just fiber optics -- was used" in a 3-D HD production, according to Ray Buck of the FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM. FSN Southwest Senior Exec Producer Mike Anastassiou: "It exceeded our expectation. Now there's a satellite option. Now you can roll a downlink truck to theatres that are 3-D capable, and you can do [PPV] events and create enough of a mass audience to help offset the expense." Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban, who owns Magnolia Theatre, said that the single-event expense right now is "roughly $250,000," though Buck notes that number "will shrink." Cuban said in an e-mail, "I think it's (going to be) mainstream in '09 for movies, with limited 'live' special events, like Mavs games, concerts, plays. At some point in 2010, you will see it in bars and special-entertainment environments. ... Probably 2011, you will see tests to homes where people can watch it on a somewhat regular basis." Buck reports Tuesday's game attendees were given a "seat and a pair of plastic 3-D glasses" at the invitation-only telecast, which utilized four "special binocular-style TV cameras." Cuban: "It will take 8-10 years before consumers will be able to easily buy 3-D TVs that don't require glasses. Hopefully, in the short term, we can push the costs down enough to do 10 or so Mavs games next year" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 3/28).