Eon Sports, working with the University of Miami, has created the first college-based virtual reality channel.
The VR channel will provide users with exclusive 360-degree content developed by Miami and tailored to the VR experience. All of the content will be focused on the Hurricanes’ athletic programs.
Eon is calling the Miami VR channel the first of its kind in college athletics. There’s no rights fee involved; Miami provides the content and Eon hosts the software.
Users will download a Miami VR app onto their Apple or Android phones and then connect the smartphone to Eon’s VR device. The smartphone powers the device and delivers the Miami content via Wi-Fi or data connections.
The Hurricanes said the content will provide unique behind-the-scenes experiences for the viewers, such as a view from inside the huddle.
As part of the deal, Miami fans will be able to buy school-branded headsets for $29.95 each on HurricanesSports.com, the school’s official website. The channel is expected to launch in October.
Miami’s Jason Layton, a senior associate athletic director over communications and sales, said the private school in the ACC has invested more than $1 million in broadcast and video production over the past year. The VR channel provides an innovative outlet for all of the new content coming out of Miami’s production facilities, he said.
