Sky has today announced plans to roll out the UK’s first 3D channel, Sky 3D. The hotly anticipated new channel will begin broadcasting in April, but Sky will give viewers a preview this Sunday with a live 3D broadcast of Arsenal and Manchester United’s Premier League match.

January 28, 2010 — Sky has released details of the new 3D channel, Sky 3D, which will begin broadcasting weekly sports fixtures in 3D this April. More exciting perhaps is the announcement that the channel will preview what it has to offer by broadcasting this Sunday’s Premier League match — Arsenal vs. Manchester United — live in 3D. And because 3D-ready TVs haven’t yet found their way into users’ homes, the broadcaster has arranged for nine pubs in cities around the UK and Ireland to receive some of the first such devices to reach our shores.

In April, as the TVs become increasingly available, the service will roll out to hundreds of further pubs, and Sky 3D will begin broadcasting weekly football matches using the new technology. The broadcaster then plans to bring Sky 3D to consumers’ homes later in the year, initially at no extra charge for Sky+HD subscribers.

Sky also recently announced that its 3D signals will be compatible with current Sky+HD boxes and with the 3D-ready TVs from Sony, Samsung, LG, and Panasonic that are expected to become available this year.

Sky will use eight two-camera setups to record Sunday’s Premier League match — here we see the company carrying out preliminary tests of its 3D equipment.

Those hoping to catch a glimpse of the match this Sunday can try and fight their way into four pubs in London, two in Manchester, and one in each of Cardiff, Edinburgh, and Dublin. According to a report on the Guardian’s website, BSkyB won’t announce the names of the pubs involved because of fears of overcrowding — you’ll just have to keep your eyes peeled on the day.