The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER's Giardina & Pennington wrote ESPN's decision to discontinue its 3D channel was a "clear setback for stakeholders who want to bring 3D to the living room, but they are not ready to throw in the towel." CAN Communicate Creative Dir Duncan Humphreys, whose company was a tech partner for the 3D production of the '10 FIFA World Cup, said, "It's obviously disappointing to hear the news that ESPN are pulling out of their 3D channel, having said that a total sports 3D channel in 3D’s infancy was a big ask. Taking those first infant steps with ESPN at the 2010 World Cup in 3D broadcasting was an honor." ESPN's withdrawal "comes at a time when glasses free consumer displays are about to hit the market" (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 6/13).
KEEP IT SIMPLE: Yahoo Sports has renamed and released a new version its popular Sportacular mobile application. Now simply called Yahoo Sports, the app includes additional Yahoo editorial content, a new availability for the iPad, and increased speed of score updates. Yahoo acquired Sportacular in '10 as part of its purchase of Citizen Sports Inc. (Eric Fisher, Staff Writer).
BACK TO FAMILIAR TERRITORY: In Phoenix, Mike Sunnucks reported ESPN will use Scottsdale "to base its weeklong Super Bowl coverage and other events when the big game comes to Arizona and University of Phoenix Stadium" in '15. ESPN is "planning to base its coverage adjacent to Scottsdale Fashion Square mall." The network previously has "landed college football bowl coverage at the nearby Scottsdale Waterfront development." ESPN based its Super Bowl coverage in '08 in Scottsdale (BIZJOURNALS.com, 6/12).
