NBA, Turner partner on virtual reality broadcasts


Details

Michelle Clancy

| 29 October 2015





The NBA and Turner Sports are providing NBA fans with access to view live professional basketball in virtual reality.


The first live stream for the partnership took place earlier this week on opening night of the 2015-16 NBA season, when the defending NBA Champion Golden State Warriors faced the New Orleans Pelicans.

Along with the live game presentation, fans could view the Warriors ring ceremony presentation in virtual reality – with the team receiving their championship rings on the court prior to the game.

NBA and Turner Sports are working closely with NextVR, a technology company that captures and delivers live and on-demand virtual reality experiences, on the project.

Fans accessed the feeds with a Samsung Gear VR headset via the NextVR portal, found on the Oculus Home app.

The NBA began experimenting with virtual reality during the 2013-14 NBA season when NextVR captured a Warriors game against the Denver Nuggets at Oracle Arena. Last season, the NBA became the first US professional sports league to bring virtual reality experiences to the public by capturing and distributing highlights of the NBA All-Star Game and State Farm All-Star Saturday Night.

The NBA has been at the forefront of many innovations. For instance, last season it worked with Univision Deportes to launch the official Spanish-language NBA website, serving as an online and mobile hub for Hispanic basketball fans.