BBC to broadcast parts of London 2012 coverage in 3D

The BBC will broadcast some of its London 2012 Olympic games coverage in 3D.

The broadcaster says the opening and closing ceremonies and a nightly highlights package will be shown in 3D on the BBC HD channel.

The only sporting event to be shown LIVE in 3D will be the men’s 100 metre finals on 5 August.

“We’ve always been clear we were never going to have a 3D channel for the Olympics and the BBC’s overall approach to 3D has been very much on the lines of an experiment around special events like Wimbledon and Strictly Come Dancing,” said Roger Mosey, BBC London 2012 director.

“This caution has been in line with consumer demand – 3D has spread more slowly than we perhaps expected in 2009 and there have been interesting developments abroad with France’s Canal Plus announcing that it’s stopping its 3D channel because it just hadn’t met its targets.

“But we do believe it’s right for the BBC to go ahead with a 3D experiment this summer.”

The main SD transmission will be on BBC One, the HD simulcast will be on BBC One HD and the 3D version will be shown on the BBC HD Channel.

The highlights programme will feature a range of sports and will air nightly after the live action has finished.