Three-dimensional television is growing at a slower than expected pace, but industry experts remain optimistic that it will reshape the way the world watches the small screen.

The number of 3D TV channels will break the 100-channel barrier by 2014, according to market research group In-Stat, with sports, the arts, big music events and movies set to spearhead growth.

“When we said three years ago that 3D would be a success, people criticised us,” said Vincent Teulade, a Paris-based technology and media consultant at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, at the MIPTV trade show that ended late last week.

“But 3D has arrived and it is known by the mass market.”

For television, MIPTV this year saw a bigger selection of 3D programs up for international sale. These ranged from spectacular wildlife and travel documentaries to children’s cartoons, stunning ballet, breakdancing and circus performances, and – for older viewers – a large choice from the adult entertainment industry.

“Over the last few months we have seen increasingly more content that is in 3D,” Laurine Garaude, who heads the television division at MIPTV organiser Reed Midem, said.

Many of the programmes offered at the MIPDOC documentary convention that preceded MIPTV were presented as being “cross-media,” Mr Garaude noted.

But consumer electronics and broadcasting experts cautioned that a number of hurdles still must be overcome before there remains a number of major hurdles to overcome before 3D television can take flight.

The volume of 3D production remains low, the number of 3D channels is only slowly expanding, and a big question mark hangs over how quickly consumers will buy 3D sets after many only recently shelled out for high-def screens.