If cable programmers and TV manufacturers succeed, 3-D televisions may start appearing in millions of American homes soon. As the New York Times reports, "A full-fledged 3-D television turf war is brewing in the United States." As manufacturers begin rolling out 3-D televisions to the tune of $2,000, Discovery, Sony and IMAX are creating a 3-D channel for home viewers to watch with 3-D glasses. But will it catch on? Will 2010 mark the beginning of a new era in home entertainment? Here's a roundup of the skeptics and optimists:

Update: The Atlantic magazine got an early jump on 3-D television in this April 2009 piece by Josh Levin. While remarking that "None of these products is ready for the mass market," he says that the ideal use for 3-D television is sports, where you can "sit down, put on some glasses, and your couch is on the 50-yard line"

YES, MAKE WAY FOR 3-D

• ESPN Is Already Leading the Charge, write Brian Stelter and Brad Stone at The New York Times: "The pioneering sports network ESPN said it would show at least 85 live events on a 3-D channel starting in June." The company will launch an all-sports 3D network broadcasting World Cup soccer, the Summer X Games, college basketball and college football.

• Avatar Shows There's a Demand for 3-D, writes Joe Flint at The Los Angeles Times: "The popularity of 3-D movies has been established recently by such films as 'Avatar,' 'Up' and 'The Final Destination.' As the Times notes, "James Cameron's 'Avatar; surpassed the staggering $1 billion mark last weekend -- companies are now determined to bring an equivalent experience to the living room."
  

• For Cable Companies, This Has to Happen, writes Nick Summers at Newsweek: "If they want to keep getting our dollars, they'll have to. I would love, love, love to ditch my cable payment. But I would also love to see Alex Ovechkin tearing down the ice in three dimensions."

NO, THINK ABOUT CONSUMERS

• It's Pretty Impractical, writes Nick Bilton at The New York Times: "I really can't imagine inviting a group of friends over for hamburgers and beers to watch a Yankees game, then handing them a pair of 3-D glasses as I greet them at the door. Do I have to take the glasses off each time I go check on the burgers? And what happens when I want to watch shows like 'Seinfeld,' or 'Everyone Loves Raymond'? Will I really want to experience these in 3-D too?"

• The Masses Can't Afford It, writes Phil Rosenthal at The Chicago Tribune: "Because we lack the bucks for the new high-tech TVs that will be needed to enjoy the full effect, this development is one that doesn't yet look as though it's headed straight at most of us." A 3-D-compatible television set will cost consumers $2,000

Want to add to this story? Let us know in comments or send an email to the author at jhudson at theatlantic dot com. You can share ideas for stories on the Open Wire.
John Hudson