NBA Basketball Finals to air on Sky 3D

Sky and ESPN have continued their collaboration for 3D sports coverage by confirming plans to share the 3D broadcast of the NBA Finals this month.

ESPN's 3D coverage of the best-of-seven clash between the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks will be shown on Sky 3D, which is available to Sky's top-tier Sky World customers. The coverage will also be shown in 3D-ready pubs around the UK, reports Broadcast.

ESPN will broadcast live standard and high definition coverage on its UK network throughout the NBA Finals. The series began last night and runs until June 14.

The 3D coverage will use nine native 3D cameras, including an ultra slo-motion camera and remote controlled cameras positioned above and below each basket.

"Sports have been the key driver of consumer use and adoption of technology and innovation repeatedly through the years, and that continues today with 3D TV," said Murray Barnett, vice president of ESPN Media Distribution.

"The NBA, Sky 3D and ESPN 3D are all innovation leaders in the sports world, and this collaboration will benefit fans in homes and pubs around the UK."

John Cassy, the recently-appointed director of Sky 3D, added: "In addition to our own world-leading 3D production capability, we continue to work with other 3D innovators like ESPN to ensure we offer the breadth and depth of 3D sports content that our customers demand."

The NBA Finals agreement follows similar collaborations between ESPN and Sky for 3D coverage of the Winter X Games in February and the FA Cup Final last month.

ESPN has a dedicated 3D channel in the US, but Sky is the only operator with a 3D network in Britain. The two broadcasters intend to explore more options for sharing 3D sports content in the future.