Today marks the start of a new era in TV broadcasting. ESPN launched its full-time 3D channel—the first in the world—with coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup soccer championship being held in Johannesburg, South Africa, now through July 11.

ESPN will broadcast 25 of the 64 scheduled games in 3D, which will be available in the US on DirecTV satellite, Comcast cable, and AT&T U-verse. The 3D feed will also be carried by Canal+ in France, Sogecable in Spain, and several cable providers in Canada. Click here for DirecTV's coverage schedule.

In addition to the games, 3D ads from Sony, Gillette, and Pixar will be shown along with ESPN promos, which should be as interesting as the games themselves.

Of course, you must have a 3D TV and compatible broadcast receiver to see the action in 3D. For those who don't, eight matches will be broadcast live to digital-cinema theaters in 26 countries.