Verizon slates 3D movies for FiOS TV

Verizon Communications arguably has not pursued 3DTV as aggressively as other service providers such as Comcast and AT&T, but the carrier just announced plans to bring 10 3D feature films to its FiOS TV on-demand programming library.

The rollout appears to be another low-risk experiment for a company whose 3DTV efforts so far have consisted of one NFL pre-season football game telecast and two MLB regular season baseball game telecasts. Those telecasts were offered regionally in the Northeast, while the coming package of 3D films will be available to FiOS TV customers nationwide who have 3D TVs, glasses and HD set-top boxes. However, by offering films already produced in 3D, Verizon in some cases will benefit from previous awareness of the films, and won’t have to risk trying to interest customers in some other type of new 3D content. AT&T made a similar move in September when it added a series of 3D IMAX movies to its U-verse 3DTV offerings.

In any case, Verizon has made good on pledge from last spring to offer some 3DTV programming by the end of this year, though its latest effort comes at a time when questions about 3DTV’s viability continue to mount around issues such as the price of new 3D TVs, as well as the usability of 3DTV glasses.

The first film in the Verizon 3D movie package will come to the small screen Nov. 16, with the premiere of "Cats & Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore." Other films in the packages include "Chicken Little," "Bolt" and "Meet the Robinsons" from Walt Disney Pictures, and "Journey to the Center of the Earth," "Under the Sea," "Deep Sea" and "NASCAR" from Warner Bros. Digital Distribution. In December, the series will be closed out with "Disney's A Christmas Carol" and "Step Up 3D." However, Verizon already said it will put more 3D titles on tap for early next year.