Raiders-Chargers, in a third dimension

The NFL Network has scheduled a Thursday, Dec. 4 telecast, pitting the Chargers and Raiders from Qualcomm Stadium that, depending on your cable service, will be available to very few viewers.

Same with a 3-D version broadcast of the game, unless you've got some connections.

The Burbank-based 3ality Digital LLC (home site linked here) says it will coordinate with the Beverly Hills-based ReadD company for the first-ever live broadcast of an NFL game in full digital 3D.

According to today's Wall Street Journal (linked here), there will be one theatre in Los Angeles carrying the game, along with one in New York and Boston, where those in the audience can see things only with special 3-D glasses. Unfortunately, it is closed to the general public, open only to invited guests -- particularily, consumer-electronic company reps.

The story claims this is a preliminary step on what is likely a long road to any regular 3-D broadcasts of football games.

"We want to demonstrate this and let people get excited about it and see what the future holds," says Howard Katz, NFL senior VP of broadcasting and media operations.

RealD specializes in bringing advanced digital 3D projection capabilities to cinemas worldwide. It has more than 100 exhibition partners and more than 5,500 worldwide screens are committed to install RealD's platform.

"As boxing fans once gathered at local theatres to see heavyweight title matches in the era before pay-per-view and plasma televisions, RealD's new technology will give audiences another reason to head to the theatre," explained Michael Lewis, chairman and CEO of RealD in a press release. "The continued box office success and the strong audience response to films released on RealD's platform have shown that consumers crave a premium 3D cinematic experience. We look forward to giving fans of live events the opportunity to feel like they're in the front row without even being there."