BBC to Postpone Plans of Airing on 3D after Failed Trial Run

With programs such as Strictly Come Dancing and the airing of the Olympics ceremonies and Wimbledon broadcasts on 3D, BBC is not mentioning any future plans of airing in the same format after the trial period. The head of the BBC 3D team said there were no formal plans of continuing the project.

A lot of home viewers complained that it was bothersome to watch, which in return, led to fewer people tuning into the shows’ broadcasts, told commissioning editor for science and natural history Kim Shillinglaw.

She also mentioned during an interview at the RadioTimes.com that the technology did not make a good impression with the public and it was time to take “a good old pause.”

Only this week, the broadcasting company stated that it would air the Wimbledon single matches’ finals in 3D format.

In the two-year course of the 3D project’s proposal, BBC has aired several programs in 3D, among them are the Christmas family drama Mr Stink, and the Olympics ceremony last year.

Nevertheless, it was estimated that with the 1.5 million who tuned in to the Olympics, roughly half of them were able to watch it in 3D. Furthermore, only 5 percent of potential viewers watched Mr Stink and the Queen's speech in 3D.

Furthermore, she reasoned that they have not observed a huge demand for 3D television in the UK, and watching TV on 3D can be a hassling experience when done at home, such as having the need to find glasses before you can watch TV.

They also found out the viewers’ concentration when watching TV is not the same as those who go in cinemas, who can give their 100 percent focus and are ready for the experience.
The scheduled 50th anniversary of BBC’s Doctor Who will still be aired on 3D, and also the series Hidden Kingdom. However, the format will have to take a break afterwards.