LAS VEGAS, Jan. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic
Corporation of North America and
the NBC Sports Group announced today that they will partner to make
the London 2012 Olympic Games available in 3D to all U.S.
distributors who carry Olympic coverage on cable, satellite and
telco -- nearly 100 percent of the multichannel industry. The
effort will mark the first time that the Olympic Games will be
distributed in the U.S. in 3D. Panasonic is NBC's exclusive
Flat-Panel HDTV and Blu-ray Disc Player advertiser for the London
Olympic Games.
Last year, Panasonic Corporation, a long time Official Worldwide
Olympic Partner in the Audio and Visual Equipment category,
announced it would partner with the International Olympic Committee
(IOC) and Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) to make the London
2012 Olympic Games the first ever 3D Olympic Games.
"NBC has a history of utilizing technological innovations to
distribute the Olympics in new ways for viewers," said Gary Zenkel, President, NBC Olympics. "We are
proud to continue that tradition by partnering with Panasonic and
Olympic Broadcasting Services to distribute the first 3D broadcast
of the Games in the U.S. in partnership with our multichannel video
programming distributors."
The 3D broadcasts, which will be produced by OBS and shown on
next-day delay, will span multiple competitions throughout the
London 2012 Olympic Games, including the Opening and Closing
Ceremonies, gymnastics, diving and swimming. OBS will produce more
than 200 hours of 3D coverage during the London 2012 Olympic Games
by utilizing Panasonic's state-of-art 3D production technologies
including the AG-3DP1, a P2HD professional fully-integrated
twin-lens Full HD 3D camera recorder. Cable, satellite, and telco
providers who receive the Olympics package may distribute the 3D
broadcast via the Comcast Media Center.
"As a recognized leader in end-to-end 3D technology solutions
and longtime Olympic sponsor, Panasonic is very excited to be
partnering with the NBC Sports Group which is a leader and
trailblazer in Olympic broadcasting," said Joseph M. Taylor, Chairman & CEO, Panasonic
Corporation of North America.
"Panasonic's expertise in 3D technology coupled with NBC's
unrivaled leadership in coverage of the Olympic Games will deliver
to home viewers an unprecedented 3D Olympic experience that will
make them feel as though they are right there with the world's
finest athletes as they compete. Full HD 3D is ideal for capturing
the true spectacle of Olympic competition and the pageantry of
Olympic ceremonies, and we are excited to be able to bring it to
fans across the U.S."
About Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America
Based in Secaucus, N.J.,
Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America, a Division of Panasonic
Corporation of North America, the
principal North American Subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE:
PC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and
R&D operations, offers a wide-range of consumer solutions in
the U.S. and Canada. The Company's portfolio of innovative
consumer products ranges from VIERA Full HD 3D Televisions, Blu-ray
players, LUMIX Digital Cameras, Camcorders, Home Audio, Cordless
Phones, Home Appliances, Wellness and Personal Care products and
more.
Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the
earth's natural resources and protect our environment through the
company's Eco Ideas programs. Panasonic was the only Consumer
Electronics company to be listed in the top ten brands on the
Interbrand Best Global Green Brands 2011 ranking. Follow Panasonic
on Twitter @panasonicdirect, and additional company information for
media is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.
About the NBC Sports Group
When the Comcast-NBCUniversal transaction was completed in
January of 2011, the broad reach and storied history of NBC Sports
united with Comcast's 24/7 ability to super-serve fans to create
the NBC Sports Group. The new sports media company consists of an
array of broadcast television, cable television and digital sports
assets, including NBC Sports & Olympics, Golf Channel, NBC
Sports Network, 11 SportNets (regional sports networks) and their
respective websites. Together, the new combined assets of the NBC
Sports Group possess an unparalleled collection of television
rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious
sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee
and United States Olympic Committee, NFL, NHL, PGA TOUR, PGA of
America, USGA, Churchill Downs, IndyCar, French Open, Tour de
France, and many more.
SOURCE Panasonic