SEVEN has joined the rush to screen 3D television with a decision by the communications watchdog to allocate it and Nine a trial 3D TV licence.
The licence will enable Seven to broadcast the Australian rules grand final and Nine to show the rugby league grand final in 3D.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority today announced the licences would run from September 18 to October 8 in five capital cities, allowing Seven to show the AFL grand final on September 25, and Nine to show the NRL grand final on October 3.
The regulator confirmed it had received reports from both Nine and SBS on their joint 3D TV trial that ran from May to July, allowing them to show the State of Origin rugby league and 2010 FIFA World Cup, respectively, in 3D. Last week Nine was rebuked by ACMA for not handing in its report on the first trial.
ACMA has also released a discussion paper on 3D TV and similar technologies to review "spectrum, licensing and consumer policy issues associated with 3D TV'', with submissions due by October 15.
The regulator said it would not grant new licences for further 3D TV trials pending the review.
Seven appears to have had a late conversion to the benefits of 3D, announcing its plans for the one-off broadcast in conjunction with Panasonic and the AFL today.
But on Monday, in response to questions from The Australian on the topic, spokesman Simon Francis said the network would "leave it to Nine and ACMA at the moment''.
The match will be shown in high-definition 3D on digital channel 40 and will also be broadcast on Seven's new digital channel, 7mate, which will be on channel 73.
"We are looking forward to meeting the challenge of producing the first live 3D television coverage of an AFL match and it being the biggest game of the year and one of the great moments in sports,'' Seven chief executive David Leckie said.
Viewers will need a 3D television and compatible eyewear to view the 3D broadcast.
Foxtel beat the free-to-air networks to launch the first Australian television broadcast using the new 3D technology when it screened a Socceroos football match in 3D earlier this year.
