Taking only two days to dispel a sense that 2012 may be the year for 3D, French pay-TV channel Canal+ will close its 3D channel Canal+ 3D on 24 January.
Speaking to Rapid TV News, Canal+ confirmed the closure of the channel which it launched in the summer of 2010 as an event destination.
Early in its history, Canal+ 3D tried to stir the interest of its 12,000 subscribers by scheduling two film and sport events live each month from the beginning for 2011. However, a perfect storm of a lack of 3D dedicated programmes, the weak take up of equipment and poor audience figures have driven Canal+ Group to stop the investment.
It was found that French viewers equipped with 3D TV sets don’t watch 3D programming for more than a few minutes before going back to the 2D version.
Canal+ however promises the 3D channel will come back when the audience’s interest has firmed up and is currently thinking about new formats of 3D channels. In the meantime, the group will focus on the development of its HD offer.
Though 200 hours are still set to be broadcast in 3D for the London 2012 Olympics, Canal+’s venture may prove that 3D is not fit for TV.
