Tonight’s Movie… Rangers vs. Islanders!

A recent posting on the NHL’s website caught my eye, not because of the headline, but what was buried towards the end of the article. The headline boasted about the league’s first game broadcasted in 3D on March 24th. In itself a very big accomplishment for both MSG networks (a property of the Madison Square Garden) and the NHL, a league that is notorious for not exactly being on the cutting edge of technology. Yet beyond the broadcast, it was the section in which NHL staff writer Dave Lozo touched on the fact that a very small segment of the population even owns 3D televisions so the game was also broadcasted at the Madison Square Garden theater for over 2,500 frenzied fans. That’s right, picture Ranger fans grabbing their popcorn buckets, cold beers and marching to their seats. All seems like a normal night at the Garden until the lights dim down and the 3D glasses come on!

Image via Wikipedia

Now I applaud the theater for being forward thinking, along with the NHL and MSG networks; but I’m a hockey fan myself and there’s still no substitute for that goal scoring horn shattering your ear drum as 19,000 of your closest friends jump in unison. I have to imagine some of that energy gets lost in the same theater that just showed “Maid in Manhattan”, but I’d be willing to give anything a shot (the 3D game, not the movie!).

As more sports content providers jump on the technology, I encourage theater chains to broadcast these type of events. This is an area where they have a small window to be the exclusive content providers in most sports markets. All of a sudden Monday Night Football looks like a Stars Wars premiere… just replace the costumes with jerseys!

I would also argue: Get it while the getting is good, theater moguls. If last week’s reaction is as strong as what Lozo writes, then I would bet a few of those Ranger boosters headed right down to their corner Best Buy to snatch up their very own 3D set. Why not, you’ll save a ton on popcorn and the bathroom is a lot closer!

Technology is so damn exciting and its ripples are completely unpredictable. It always seems each new emerging tool creates unintended benefits. I really think 3D theater sports content can be a great surprise revenue-generator while giving fans a whole new way to experience thier favorite teams. Now, if they just add the beer man in the aisle you can count me in! Until that modern marvel reaches the Cineplex, I’ll continue to watch my goals scored in 2D!

Related articles by Zemanta

• NHL’s 3D Debut a Visual Feast (ballhype.com)
• Eyes On: The First 3D NHL Hockey Broadcast in the U.S. (downes.ca)

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