China Launches First 3D TV Channel

China began broadcasts of the nation’s first 3-D TV channel on a trial broadcast Sunday, according to China 3-D Trial Channel. The channel is a joint venture between state-owned China Central Television (CCTV) and five local TV stations in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Jiangsu and Shenzhen.

The channel allows the viewing of shows with a three-dimensional effect by using 3D TV sets and set-top-boxes. Programming will begin with four-and-a-half hours of 3D movies, cartoons, sports and performances aired three times a day. Later the channel will also feature coverage of the 2012 London Olympics.

Each of CCTV’s local partners have established new production units specifically to produce 3-D programming.

At the end of the three-week trial period the 3-D channel will be launched formally during Chinese New Year on January 23rd.

The central government hopes the 3D channel will encourage households to upgrade to 3D enabled televisions, creating demand that would be “worth hundreds of billions of yuan” if even 1% of China’s 500 million TV households switches to 3-D TV during the coming year.

In the face of flagging demand growth in Europe and the US, Beijing has increasingly emphasized domestic consumer demand as a driver of economic growth in coming years.

3-D channels have already sprung up in Japan, South Korea and India.