Sports Illustrated and Sony have teamed up to for a special first-of-its-kind 3D content event which just might be a powerful incentive for some consumers who are on the fence about 3D home theater technology to finally decide to go for it.  Drumroll please…the partnership has taken on the initiative of presenting the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in a 3D video format that will be available exclusively through the Sony PlayStation Network.

Neilsen reports indicate that only 2% of consumers own a 3D TV, and only 3% more ‘definitely’ plan on buying one in 2011.  With the revolutionary  3D home theater technology no taking off like manufacturers had hoped, we’re likely to see some pretty creative incentives, such as seeing the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue in 3D.

We know that will entice at least the male half of the population, which would probably be enough to jump start the industry quite nicely.  We’re not so sure that men will go running to the nearest electronics store just to get in on one video though as they can grab the actual magazine on Feb 15th from the newsstands.

The announcement of the combined forces of Sony and Sports Illustrated, and their new Swimsuit issue project came out on Wednesday, just before the CES 2011 got underway.  Executives from both Sony and Sports Illustrated are rather excited about the project, and expressed their enthusiasm about delivering fans a new perspective of the Swimsuit franchise through the innovative platform of 3D video.

The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue will hit newsstands on Feb 15th, as well as the Swimsuit video content, available in 3D and 2D formats. The video content will be accessible through the Playstation Network video service on the PlayStation 3 gaming console, or through the Sony Qriocity video streaming service for viewing on 3D enabled Sony Bravia HDTVs and blu-ray players.

Learn more about the phenomenal PlayStation Network, where PS3 owners can access games, movies, and more, once again reiterating that the PS3 is so much more than a gaming system and more like a complete home entertainment system.  Visit the Amazon PlayStation Network Portal.   The PS3 is an exceptionally popular gaming system, and has recently released the PS3 Move, their new motion gaming add-on that takes interactive gaming to the next level.

Source: PCMag.com