ESPN is looking to ride one of the next big waves in consumer electronics with a new 3-D sports channel.

The network, owned by the Walt Disney Co., says it will introduce a channel this year that will broadcast live sports events using the technology, starting with the FIFA World Cup soccer match on June 11.

The channel will not operate 24 hours a day, but plans to run at least 85 live events in its first year.

In an interview, ESPN's vice president for technology, Chuck Pagano, said the network is preparing for a "3-D tsunami" in the TV industry.

Major electronics makers such as Sony Corp. plan to bring 3-D TV sets to market soon, duplicating the 3-D trend that hit the movie industry in 2009.