EXCLUSIVE – Wimbledon in 3D but not on the BBC

Ten matches will be produced in 3D from Centre Court at Wimbledon this year but few people in the UK will be able to watch any of it writes Adrian Pennington

This article is brough to you in association with 3D specialists Presteigne Charter.

That’s because the BBC, which aired three matches in 3D from the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) for the first time last year, may decide not to follow suit for this year’s tournament which begins June 25.

The BBC has a scheduling clash on July 8, the day of the men's tennis final, with the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

The Corporation is understood to be considering other options, including broadcast of the Grand Prix via the Red Button, but a final decision may depend on Andy Murray’s progress in the French Open. If he does well, then interest will rise in Murray’s Wimbledon exploits making a 3D transmission more likely. It would also seem unlikely that were Murray to reach the Wimbledon final, the BBC would not move to air that live in 3D.

Instead, US broadcaster ESPN 3D has taken the lead in requesting wider coverage of the latter stages of the Championship which will be host produced as before by Sony, in partnership with the BBC.

ESPN 3D has no carriage deals with Sky or Virgin in the UK. There will however be live transmission of the men's final at select cinemas worldwide.

An estimated 18,000 viewers watched the BBC’s 3D coverage in 2011. In 2011, 250 cinemas worldwide took the 3D live feed.

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