‘Pop-out footballers’, pop concerts and popular films

Abstract

Using a case study of the British pay television (TV) service Sky 3D, this article considers the current barriers to mainstream adoption of stereoscopic three-dimensional TV (3D TV). Exploring the history of 3D TV technology and the public discourse around 3D on TV, the article argues that the digital 3D TV aesthetic remains rooted in two-dimensional production models and restrictive genres/formats that stifle 3D storytelling and experimentation. Given these current limitations in broadcast content and the continuing influence of home electronics manufacturers, the article argues that 3D TV will struggle to have more than a fluctuating appeal in the consumer marketplace.