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ESPN 3D has added the State Farm Home Run Derby telecast on Monday, July 12 at 8 p.m. EST to the list of events that will appear on the new network.  ESPN3D will kick off on June 11 with the first 2010 FIFA World Cup match featuring South Africa vs. Mexico. The State Farm Home Run Derby telecast will be the first event produced by ESPN 3D.

“It’s fitting that we launch ESPN 3D’s domestic programming from Angel Stadium of Anaheim, which was the site for the launch of ESPN HD back on March 30, 2003,” said Bryan Burns, vice president, strategic business development, ESPN. “Seven years later, ESPN HD is available to virtually every multichannel video household in the United States, and we’re hopeful that ESPN 3D will receive strong interest from sports fans and distributors plus consumer electronics manufacturers and retailers.”

“We are always looking for ways to augment the viewing experience for fans watching MLB telecasts,” said Chris Tully, Major League Baseball Senior Vice President, Broadcasting.  “The State Farm Home Run Derby is a unique event for a 3D telecast since it has all of the prestige of an MLB Jewel Event and the event’s format allows for more creativity in how it is shot for television.” 

Additional schedule highlights for the new network include:

• College basketball’s Old Spice Classic on Nov. 25-28
• College football’s ACC Championship on Dec. 4
• Jimmy V Classic on Dec. 7. 
• College basketball’s Big East Tournament, March 8-12, 2011 

Previously announced events include the BCS National Championship game in Glendale, Ariz. on Jan. 11, X Games 16, college football and the NBA.  Additional events may be added at any time, however, it is estimated that the first year will include approximately 85 events. 

ESPN has been testing ESPN 3D for more than three years.  In February, ESPN produced a 3D telecast of a Harlem Globetrotters game. In 2009, ESPN produced the USC vs. OSU college football game which was shown in select theaters as well as to 6,000 fans at the Galen Center on USC’s campus.  ESPN has developed best practices for utilizing the technology in live game applications which have provided the ability to streamline workflow operations, adjust 3D camera positioning, perform transmission tests and gauge fan reaction to a 3D telecast versus a traditional telecast.   

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