When you think 3D TV, there possibilities are limitless. That game-winning touchdown pass spiraling out of your flat screen, alien invaders flying ships through the screen … and yes, even naked chicks strutting their stuff in your living room. It’s this latter and controversial content that is fueling the 3D business in Japan right now, where a pair of porn stars are leading the charge in developing three-dimensional entertainment that is compatible with Sony (SNE) and Panasonic (PC) televisions.
Before you scoff, keep in mind that adult videos in Japan account for 30% of total video sales in the entire nation according comments by Takashi Kadokura in a recent Bloomberg news article. That’s a whopping $1.2 billion in American dollars, so the cash is certainly there. And since the technology is there for Sony and Panasonic but the content isn’t, these 3D television manufacturers are not exactly expressing moral outrage over the fact that the porn industry is going to take the first steps for this new medium.
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Mika Kayama and Yuma Asami, the top (ahem) actresses of adult-movie maker S1 No.1Style, are set to debut in 3D this month with Kayama’s video set for release on June 7 and Asami’s video out in 3D format on June 19. It’s not exactly a conincidence that these videos are making a splash at the same time that Sony is launching its new 3D Bravia models. Panasonic is already selling 3D television sets in the U.S. and in Japan. Sharp Corp. (SHCAY) and Mitsubishi Electric Corp. (MIELY) have said they plan to sell similar products.
Though in the West there may be some highbrows and moralists who express shock at the fact that porn is leading the 3D revolution, let’s not forget that the first Internet startups that became profitable were actually pornographic in nature. In some strange way, XXX websites can take credit for proving the commercial viability of the new medium.
It remains to be seen though if seedy early adopters are really necessary to being the 3D revolution. Worldwide shipments of 3-D TVs are expected to be 4.2 million units this year even without any consistent mainstream programming or cable channels. Some experts estimate next year’s total as high as 13 million based on these trends – almost 10% of the LCD flat screen market when you look at the projection of 170 million of the high-tech sets that will be sold this year.
Whatever the future will be for 3D television, you can bet that industry insiders will be watching the release of Japanese porn titles this month – whether they want to admit it or not.
As of this writing, Jeff Reeves did not own a position in any of the stocks mentioned here.
