24-HOUR 3D TV CHANNEL IN THE USA

Leading U.S. cable company Comcast Corp said on Thursday it was launching a 24-hour 3D television channel next week focusing on music, sports, movies and original programming. Called Xfinity 3D, the new channel will kick off on Feb. 20 with the broadcast of the NHL match-up between the Montreal Canadiens and the Calgary Flames, followed by a concert by Grammy-winning rock band Kings of Leon from Hamburg, Germany. Comcast, the largest U.S. cable provider, said that Xfinity 3D would also bring customers movies documenting African safaris, haunted castles and dinosaurs, among others. Original programming will include topics such as Chinese dragon dancing and rhythmic gymnastics. The launch of Xfinity 3D is the latest in a series of 3D programming offered by Comcast and other TV providers such as cable sports channel ESPN, and 3net a joint venture from Discovery Communications, Sony and Imax.