DirecTV Rushes 3D for World Cup, Angers Customers

Do you have a 3D TV? Of course you don't. Neither do I. Neither does anyone we know.

But the television industry is hoping that 3D TV will be the next big thing, and DirecTV and ESPN are working together to make the World Cup the first major event that people can watch in 3D, even though they know that only a tiny number of people can actually watch in 3D.

I've got no problem with that, except that DirecTV seems to have rushed 3D for the World Cup, which begins this week, and disrupted the service of millions of customers who don't have 3D in the process.

Although DirecTV did not respond to my request for comment, my own personal DirecTV service -- and that of many people who registered their complaints on Twitter -- was all fouled up this morning. A sample of the Twitter comments:

pudge44: Hey @DIRECTV @theDTV: software update FAIL. Had to reboot receivers 2x this a.m. Wouldn't even turn on at 1st. All for 3D that nobody has?

willspot: What is going on with @Directv? All 3 boxes in house are not working. Rebooted. Now can not change channels! ... Now @directv just want to sell me a tennis package instead of getting me to a support rep. FAIL. ... Going on 10 minutes @directv and I am getting impatient.

LSMurphy: Why is my box not working, @DirecTV? It was fine last night. Now it's dead.

ehaislar: If your having @directv issues this morning reboot a couple times to fix. I think a update they put out broke everyones boxes.

JCSandvik: My Directv boxes wouldn't boot! Come on DTV, let us know when something is wrong on your homepage or something.

nakedtickboy: Thanks @directv for updating your system which caused my receiver to freeze causing a "burn-in" on my HDTV...thanks a bunch! ::sarcasm::

britbrarian: Apparently our DirecTv receiver is dead. I am not amused. How am I going to watch the #Glee finale tonight???

jvalexander: My patience with #Directv is really starting to wear thin. They say they have best customer service in the business. I dont see how??

Kenstanza: @DIRECTV I thought there was 24 hour tech support. I called twice this morning only to get 2 busy signals

So there you have it. You don't have 3D TV, and neither do I, and neither does anyone we know. But if you have DirecTV, your service got screwed up for the precious few who do have 3D TV.