There's no question that "3D" has created a lot of buzz in the industry, but the focus has been on hardware as content has been hard to come by. Hollywood studios are expected to release just 35 3D movies this year, but that number grows to 100 in 2011, and upwards of 200 in 2012, said Parks Associates analyst Pietro Macchiarella earlier this year. But, the catalog of existing feature-length films is slim enough that providers have had to work hard to land them.
But Hollywood studios have seen 3D programming like Avatar as cash cows, much needed as they watch DVD revenues continue to decline, and pay-TV operators are hoping to hitch their wagons to that rising star.
Macchiarella says it's not a bad bet, it's just one that isn't likely to pay off immediately.
"The lingering effects of the recession is an issue," he said in an August interview with FierceIPTV. "The lack of content, price of devices, and lack of consumer education about 3D is holding buyers back a little bit."
From the article, "Verizon launches 3D movie fest with 10 titles in next two months" by Jim O'Neill
