The industry’s leading sports broadcast network launched the new technology in 2010 with great fanfare and expectations, but operations were slow to catch on. Wednesday, the company admitted there were too few viewers to justify all the massive costs. While network officials declined to reveal just how many viewers they had amassed, they did admit the numbers were "extremely limited and not growing."
According to the most recent data from research firm HIS Screen Digest, only 2 percent of TVs in the U.S. were equipped to show 3-D programming last year. On average, consumers dole out an extra $200 for 3-D capable sets and are also required to wear glasses during viewings.
More recently, however, many optometrists have indicated as many as one in four of viewers experience difficulty watching 3-D movies and TV, either because the technology somehow strains their eyes or they have issues with depth perception.
Instead, TV makers have now turned their attention to enhancing the resolution of their sets to "Ultra HDTV" levels and selling broadcasters on that concept.
ESPN officials added that the company will be ready to provide the broadcasts again "if or when 3D does take off."
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