WRITERS GUSH OVER PLANNED 3D COVERAGE OF MASTERS

Media writers who got a look at a preview of Comcast’s 3D coverage of The Masters Tournament in Augusta next week came away impressed. Richard Sandomir, who covers sports telecasts for the New York Times said that the picture looked “terrific,” adding, “one look at Augusta in 3D will make high-definition seem obsolete.” Eric Fisher of SportsBusiness Journal wrote that “the emerging technology appears to translate very well to golf, due to the open, outdoor setting of the sport, and the changes in course topography that can be easily appreciated in 3D.” On the Business Insider website, writer Lauren Hatch wrote that reporters were given the opportunity of comparing conventional HD and 3D HD side-by-side. “The third dimension is really an amazing new way to watch events on TV,” she wrote, concluding, “Now that I’ve seen the technology, I think 3D TV could really become the next big thing.” Nevertheless, viewership of The Masters’ 3D telecast is expected to be in the thousands — even if everyone who has purchased a 3D TV set in recent weeks tunes in. Most of those that have become available have already been snapped up by first adopters. Comcast plans to offer 3D coverage of the Masters for two hours a day from April 7-11.