The BBC has announced it is to suspend all 3D programme production due to a lack of public interest.
Kim Shillinglaw, the BBC's head of 3D, said the technology has "not taken off" with viewers finding it a hassle to watch at home.
The BBC has been trialing 3D since 2011 with it largely concentrating on sports broadcasting, including showing the 2012 Olympics and Wimbledon 2013.
It was the opening ceremony of the Olympics that marked the peak of public interest for 3D with around half the 1.5million households with 3D capability taking advantage of it for the event. However, the likes of the Queen's Christmas message and a children's drama called 'Mr Stink' were only viewed by around five percent of potential 3D viewers.
Shillinglaw told the Radio Times: "I have never seen a very big appetite for 3D television in the UK.
"I think when people watch TV they concentrate in a different way. When people go to the cinema they go and are used to doing one thing - I think that's one of the reasons that take up of 3D TV has been disappointing."
Shillinglaw will return to her main job as the corporation’s head of science and natural history at the end of the year when the 3D trial ends. After that, she said the corporation would take a "good old pause" before deciding whether to resurrect 3D coverage in future.
A few programs already recorded in 3D will still be shown, including the 50th anniversary episode of Doctor Who and new series Hidden Kingdom, but no new shows will be recorded.
Will you miss 3D on your TV? Or do you agree with Shillinglaw that 3D simply isn't suited for most TV viewing situations? Let us know in the forums.
Kim Shillinglaw, the BBC's head of 3D, said the technology has "not taken off" with viewers finding it a hassle to watch at home.
The BBC has been trialing 3D since 2011 with it largely concentrating on sports broadcasting, including showing the 2012 Olympics and Wimbledon 2013.
It was the opening ceremony of the Olympics that marked the peak of public interest for 3D with around half the 1.5million households with 3D capability taking advantage of it for the event. However, the likes of the Queen's Christmas message and a children's drama called 'Mr Stink' were only viewed by around five percent of potential 3D viewers.
Shillinglaw told the Radio Times: "I have never seen a very big appetite for 3D television in the UK.
"I think when people watch TV they concentrate in a different way. When people go to the cinema they go and are used to doing one thing - I think that's one of the reasons that take up of 3D TV has been disappointing."
Shillinglaw will return to her main job as the corporation’s head of science and natural history at the end of the year when the 3D trial ends. After that, she said the corporation would take a "good old pause" before deciding whether to resurrect 3D coverage in future.
A few programs already recorded in 3D will still be shown, including the 50th anniversary episode of Doctor Who and new series Hidden Kingdom, but no new shows will be recorded.
Will you miss 3D on your TV? Or do you agree with Shillinglaw that 3D simply isn't suited for most TV viewing situations? Let us know in the forums.
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