Panasonic, NBC Sports partner to distribute London 2012 Olympic Games in 3D

Panasonic Corporation of North America and the NBC Sports Group announced they will partner to make the London 2012 Olympic Games available in 3D to all U.S. distributors who carry Olympic coverage on cable, satellite and telco -- nearly 100 percent of the multi-channel industry. The effort will mark the first time that the Olympic Games will be distributed in the U.S. in 3D. Panasonic is NBC's exclusive flat-panel HDTV and Blu-ray disc player advertiser for the London Olympic Games.

Last year, Panasonic Corporation, a long time Official Worldwide Olympic Partner in the audio and visual equipment category, announced it would partner with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) to make the London 2012 Olympic Games the first-ever 3D Olympic Games.

"NBC has a history of utilizing technological innovations to distribute the Olympics in new ways for viewers," said Gary Zenkel, president of NBC Olympics. "We are proud to continue that tradition by partnering with Panasonic and Olympic Broadcasting Services to distribute the first 3D broadcast of the Games in the U.S. in partnership with our multi-channel video programming distributors."

The 3D broadcasts, which will be produced by OBS and shown on next-day delay, will span multiple competitions throughout the London 2012 Olympic Games, including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, gymnastics, diving and swimming. OBS will produce more than 200 hours of 3D coverage during the London 2012 Olympic Games by utilizing Panasonic's state-of-art 3D production technologies including the AG-3DP1, a P2HD professional fully-integrated twin-lens full HD 3D camera recorder. Cable, satellite, and telco providers who receive the Olympics package may distribute the 3D broadcast via the Comcast Media Center.

"As a recognized leader in end-to-end 3D technology solutions and longtime Olympic sponsor, Panasonic is very excited to be partnering with the NBC Sports Group which is a leader and trailblazer in Olympic broadcasting," said Joseph M. Taylor, chairman and CEO of Panasonic Corporation of North America. "Panasonic's expertise in 3D technology coupled with NBC's unrivaled leadership in coverage of the Olympic Games will deliver to home viewers an unprecedented 3D Olympic experience that will make them feel as though they are right there with the world's finest athletes as they compete. Full HD 3D is ideal for capturing the true spectacle of Olympic competition and the pageantry of Olympic ceremonies, and we are excited to be able to bring it to fans across the U.S."