Sony, PGA Tour, Golf Channel Team Up to Deliver Sony Open in 3D

Sony and the PGA Tour announced Tuesday that they will present live 3D broadcasts of the 2011 Sony Open from the Waialae Country Club in Oahu, Hawaii next January. Sony has already conducted 3D testing at multiple events this year, including at the 2010 Sony Open in Hawaii last January.

The 3D coverage will be produced and distributed to U.S. households by the Golf Channel and Comcast. 3D coverage will also be made available to PGA TOUR broadcast partners around the world that have 3D capability.

The production will deploy six Element Technica rigs equipped with Sony 3D cameras on on four holes –  Nos. 17, 18, and two yet-to-be determined front-nine holes – on Saturday, Jan. 15 and Sunday, Jan. 16.

“We are very excited to be able to capture the 2011 Sony Open in Hawaii using Sony’s state-of-the-art 3D professional cameras, and to deliver these images into viewers’ living rooms in live 3D,” says Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman, CEO and President of Sony Corporation. “By offering the unprecedented experience of immersive, live 3D images conveying the excitement and beauty of the Sony Open in Hawaii, we aim to further enhance the enjoyment of 3D entertainment in the home.”

In addition, Sony, the PGA Tour and Friends of Hawaii Charities (the host organization of the Sony Open in Hawaii) announced that Sony has extended its title sponsorship by three years through 2014.

The tournament is now entering its 13th year with Sony as title sponsor was broadcast to approximately 560 million households in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide in 2010.

“We are delighted that Sony has agreed to extend its sponsorship by three years with the PGA Tour and Friends of Hawaii Charities and look forward to continuing our collaboration with Sony on the development and expansion of 3D broadcasting,” says PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem. “The 2011 Sony Open in Hawaii will become the first PGA Tour co-sponsored event to feature live weekend coverage in 3D. We have seen what high-definition does for golf telecasts, and 3D is the logical next step to enhancing our broadcasts and providing fans with the ultimate viewing experience, particularly in such a beautiful setting as Hawaii.”