MUMBAI: Kazuo Hirai will become Sony president, CEO on 1 April 2012, replacing Sir Howard Stringer who will become the chairman of the board of directors.

Stringer becomes chairman of the board of directors in June 2012, thus setting in place the succession plan.

Stringer?s appointment to the board of directors in June awaits final approval during the annual shareholders meeting in June. If confirmed, he will replace retiring chairman Yotaro Kobayashi.

Hirai has acknowledged the difficulties facing the company. ?The path we must take is clear: to drive the growth of our electronics business ? primarily digital imaging, smart mobile and game (devices); to turn around the television business; and to accelerate the innovation that enables us to create new business domains?.

Stringer has been president, CEO for six years. He announced last year that he was taking a pay cut after a particularly difficult year in which Sony?s factories were damaged by the tsunami and its reputation was hit by a security breach that left more than 100 million customers? accounts compromised, forcing Sony to temporarily close its PlayStation network."

MUMBAI: US broadcaster 3net, the JV 3D network from Sony, Discovery and IMax has kicked off the show Fields of Valor: The Civil War. The broadcaster says that this is the world?s first native 3D war documentary.

The four-part 3net original miniseries will transport viewers back in time, retelling the war?s most pivotal moments both on and off the battlefields from the unique perspective of both sides of the historic conflict. The series utilises carefully selected stereoscopic stills from the period - recently released by the Library of Congress - and shown for the first time ever to television audiences in their native 3D format.

In addition the show features a cast of thousands for the penultimate battle scenes, unique "tableau form" style 3D recreations and 3D graphic effects to bring to vivid life the men of the 20th Massachusetts and the 1st Virginia as they leave their homes and loved ones, prepare for ensuing battle and plunge headlong into the history?s most brutal domestic conflict. Intimate accounts of the brave men on the front lines are told through paralleling stories from each side of the war, giving audiences a unique insight into the beliefs, struggles and passions of those involved from both the North and South.

3net president, CEO Tom Cosgrove said, "Recent advancements in 3D production have allowed us to get much ?closer? to this period in our history and offer a uniquely personal and immersive telling of the conflict that simply wasn?t possible before.

"By capturing the soldiers and battles of this historic war in native 3D, and showcasing perfectly preserved stereoscopic stills from the period, we?ve been able to bring a level of humanity and realism to the project unlike anything television audiences have experienced with previous Civil War documentaries. As well, we?re excited to broaden the audience for Fields Of Valor: The Civil War with the 2D premiere on our sister networks Velocity and Military Channel."