Manchester United v Chelsea to be 3DTV launch game

Sky has confirmed it will launch Europe's first 3D television channel with coverage of the Barclays Premier League clash between Manchester United and Chelsea on April 3.

Sky 3D will then show at least five more Premier League games live in the UK before the end of the season, as well as the Coca-Cola Football League play-off finals at the end of May.

Although relatively few members of the general public have bought 3D TVs so far, BSkyB has revealed that more than 1,000 pubs and clubs across the UK and Ireland have already signed up for the service.

Leading manufacturers such as Sony, Samsung, LG and Panasonic have also recently confirmed plans to launch 3D-compatible sets in the coming months.

"It's fitting that one of the biggest games of the season will be the launch pad for our pioneering Sky 3D service," said Brian Lenz, Sky's director of product design and TV product development.

"With 3D, seeing really is believing, so it's great news that over 1,000 pubs across country will be able to show the magic of 3D to their customers."

Sky 3D plans to add other sports programming as well as movies, documentaries, entertainment and arts content later in the year.

The channel will be introduced initially at no extra cost for subscribers of Sky's top channels and HD pack.

In January, Sky became the first broadcaster in Europe to air a 3D sporting event by carrying Manchester United's 3-1 win at Arsenal in nine pubs across London, Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Dublin.