BBC shelves 3D programming

The BBC will not make decisions on investment in 3D programming until mid-2012, after branding the attention surrounding stereoscopic technology 'hype', reports The Telegraph.

Releasing its technology strategy, the corporation said it will not make any commitments to 3D broadcasting because it believes the technology currently being promoted by television manufacturers may “fail to deliver or take off”.

“Much of the current hype has come from the success of recent movie titles and the imminent release of these on Blu-Ray,” the strategy document said.

According to Digital Spy, the document also noted that there is uncertainty over how 3D programmes should be produced and distributed for television.

This issue, it said, was not as much of a problem for the "smaller but better funded number of players in the movie industry".

Despite this, the BBC has been experimenting with 3D technology by trialling some of its shows, states 3D TV Watcher.

Last November it screened a 3D version of 'Strictly Come Dancing' in cinemas for children in need.

These experiments have been designed by the BBC to analyse the potential of these programmes and to evaluate the different technology options.