Multi-Year Agreement Brings Leading 3D Companies to Network as Launch Partners

3net, the joint venture 24/7 3D network from Sony, Discovery and IMAX today announced strategic launch partnerships with two industry leaders in the emerging U.S. 3D market ‘ XPAND 3D and Sony Electronics Inc. The multi-year agreement will align 3net with each of the partner’s respective marketing, sales and product teams to develop mutually beneficial multimedia promotions, program sponsorships, short form programming and integrated marketing initiatives. The joint announcement was made today by Tom Cosgrove, President and CEO of 3net, Maria Costeira, CEO of XPAND and Phil Molyneux, President and COO, Sony Electronics Inc.
“We’re extremely pleased to have two industry leaders in the dynamic 3D market onboard as our network launch partners,” said Cosgrove. “Our three companies are breaking new ground with content, products and technology solutions for the emerging 3D space, and each of these individual partnerships will allow us to leverage our joint capabilities to further the development of both the industry as well as our respective business interests.”

“3D is providing content creators and their audiences alike with a new medium for expression, engagement and enjoyment of media,” Costeira noted. “Whether it’s drama, sport, informational or interactive, 3D is changing the way businesses and consumers look at content. 3net is the optimal venue for XPAND to showcase our market-leading 3D technologies that have been shown to enhance the 3D viewing experience. With our glasses and 3net content, that viewing experience can be equally compelling on the laptop, the cinema and in the living room. We are very pleased to join with innovation and imagination leaders Sony and IMAX and Discovery to enable and promote this exciting new forum and we look forward to it becoming a new stage for great content.”

“3D adoption by consumers is clearly growing, and the demand for high-quality, immersive 3D programming lies as a catalyst,” said Molyneux. “As Sony is involved in all phases of the 3D ecosystem, from production cameras to the viewers’ living rooms, it’s natural that we leverage our activities on the 3net network to expand our reach. This year, while the network expands its library of quality 3D entertainment for the home, Sony will make 3D personal, bringing to consumers the tools they will need to create, share and enjoy their own, personal 3D content, along with maintaining our leadership position in 3D home products, movies, games, and television programming.”