NBC and Samsung to broadcast VR Olympics coverage

NBC Olympics is due to broadcast 85-hours of virtual reality (VR) content from the Rio 2016 games in partnership with Samsung.

NBC Sports app users, with compatible Samsung Galaxy smartphones and Samsung Gear VR headsets, will be able to access the Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS)-supplied VR coverage.

The VR output will include footage from the opening and closing ceremonies, men’s basketball, gymnastics, track and field, beach volleyball, diving, boxing, and fencing.

“VR technology carries incredible potential for the sport broadcast industry, offering a truly immersive user experience,” said OBS CEO, Yiannis Exarchos.

“Our first test in Lillehammer, together with Samsung, for the Winter Youth Olympic Games was highly successful and we look forward to further exploring this exciting technology with NBC in Rio.”

Gary Zenkel, president, NBC Olympics, said: “The world’s greatest sporting event is always a showcase for cutting edge technology, and we’re thrilled to partner with Samsung and OBS to bring our viewers even closer to compelling Olympic action with virtual reality.”

Marc Mathieu, chief marketing officer at Samsung Electronics America added that this was a “first-of-its-kind endeavour, connecting fans right to the action in Rio, powered by 360-degree storytelling, virtual reality and our Galaxy phones.”