Global Showbiz Briefs: BBC Suspends 3D; Rupert Murdoch; Indian Film Awards

NANCY TARTAGLIONE, International Editor

Audiences Fail To Embrace BBC In 3D
The BBC is suspending 3D programming after a lackluster response from viewers who found it “quite hassly,” BBC head of 3D Kim Shillinglaw said. A two-year 3D trial period started in 2011 and included the Olympics but only half of the 1.5M Britons with 3D-enabled sets watched the games that way. The Doctor Who 50th anniversary special will be one of the last programs aired in 3D in November. Shillinglaw said the broadcaster will “see what happens when the recession ends and there may be more take up of sets, but I think the BBC will be having a wait-and-see. It’s the right time for a good old pause.” ESPN in June said it was scrapping its 3D channel.

Police Seek Murdoch Tape
British police have made a formal request for the secret recording of Rupert Murdoch speaking to Sun staffers which was uncovered this week. On the tape, Murdoch discusses his company’s handling of bribery and hacking charges. Earlier this week, MP Tom Watson urged police to question Murdoch over his statements. The Guardian now reports that an officer connected to the Scotland Yard investigation into illicit payments from journalists has made the formal request to Exaro News for the tape and that Channel 4 is also understood to have been approached. News UK, which recently changed names from News International, says Murdoch “never knew of payments made by Sun staff to police before News Corporation disclosed that to UK authorities.” Meanwhile, Hacked Off, the group that fights for press regulation, called on the Commons culture, media and sport select committee to have Murdoch appear because he “may have committed contempt of parliament,” The Guardian notes.

Indian Film Awards Head To Florida
The International Indian Film Academy’s Weekend & Awards are to be held in the U.S. for the first time next year. Bollywood’s version of the Oscars will hit Tampa in June where thousands of visitors are expected to flock, according to the Associated Press. The awards are said to have a worldwide audience of about 600,000 people. The event in Tampa will use the same venue as last year’s Republican National Convention. This year’s event is being held this week in Macau.

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