Comcast signs deal with ESPN 3D

ESPN 3D has a carriage deal with Comcast.

Sports cabler’s new channel, which launches June 11 with the World Cup match between South Africa vs. Mexico, is now available to Comcast’s digital customer base. Comcast is the first cable affiliate to sign on. DirecTV signed on with ESPN 3D in March.

Only customers with 3D-compatible television sets will be able to view the programming. Besides the World Cup, ESPN 3D will offer nearly 100 events per year, including the X Games, college football’s ACC championship and the BCS national championship game Jan 10, 2011.

Programming will also be available to Comcast viewers on a video-on-demand basis.

“We delivered the first live national 3D sports event to consumers homes earlier this year with the Masters and believe that 3D sports will drive the adoption of this technology and continue to revolutionize how we deliver entertainment,” said Comcast CEO Brian Roberts.

Sporting events available in 3D telecasts is rapidly increasing. The first Major League Baseball game to be shown in 3D will be offered July 10 when the Yankees travel to play the Seattle Mariners. The game will be shown in 3D on DirecTV in the New York tri-state area as well as in the Pacific Northwest.

Three days later, Fox will broadcast the All-Star Game in Anaheim on 3D as well.