Samsung formed a virtual reality partnership with the UFC as "part of a major push to market its Gear VR as an innovative live entertainment platform," according to Tony Connelly of THE DRUM. Owners of Samsung's Gear VR will be able to watch UFC 212 for free this Saturday. The offering is part of Samsung's new VR Live Pass which sees the electronics firm partner with UFC, X Games and Live Nation to "offer Gear VR owners the chance to experience live entertainment through an immersive 360-degree broadcast." The pass is "available across multiple regions -- 45 countries in total -- and will be free." Samsung Electronics EVP & CMO Younghee Lee said that the partnerships would allow the company to "expand our VR services and help us to open up a new gateway of opportunities for fans and demonstrate our commitment to delivering experiences that make the seemingly impossible, possible." In addition to showing UFC 212, Samsung's free VR broadcast will "also include pre-event and post-event show highlights" (THE DRUM, 5/30).
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE VR: SPORTS VIDEO's Karen Hogan Ketchum reported when Real Madrid takes on Juventus in this weekend's Champions League final, fans "will be able to see the match from every angle in virtual reality." Fox Sports, continuing its effort to "deliver major sports events in VR," teamed up with LiveLike to cover the Champions League final in Cardiff. The broadcaster will "offer the title match from multiple camera angles, along with pregame VOD features through the Fox Sports VR app." Fans can enjoy the interactive, 360-degree viewing experience by "downloading and installing the app on a mobile device and signing in with their television-provider credentials" (
SPORTS VIDEO, 5/30).
