A statement by Sky has confirmed the arrival of its 3D TV channel next month. Pubs across the country will show the Manchester United v Chelsea match in 3D on April 3.

March 19, 2010 — The digital-satellite broadcaster Sky is always keen to be one step ahead: Its 3D broadcast from the Arsenal v Manchester United game was Europe’s first live 3D broadcast; the platform is expecting to carry Europe’s first HD news channel later this year; and Sky is planning to deliver 50 HD channels by Christmas 2010. Now, Sky’s planned launch of Europe’s first dedicated 3D channel has been confirmed for April 3.

According to an official statement, over a thousand pubs and clubs across the UK and Ireland have ordered Sky 3D, and will be showing the Manchester United v Chelsea game live in 3D on Saturday, April 3. Kick-off is at 12.45pm, with coverage beginning at noon. Footage for the remainder of the football season will include at least five further Premier League games.

But there’s some extra news in Sky’s statement: We’d previously heard that Sky 3D would only be available to home users later in the year. Now, Sky has said that a showcase of its 3D programming will begin broadcasting to consumers for selected hours of the day, effective from the channel’s launch.

Sky also reaffirmed the channel’s compatibility with all of the 3D TVs announced so far by manufacturers such as Samsung and LG. When the channel launches in full later this year, viewers can expect a programme of films, documentaries, sports, and entertainment.