Chambers Bay. (Image via Twitter)
Virtual reality broadcasting is no longer a thing of the future. NextVR and FOX Sports announced in a statement today that the 2015 U.S. Open, which starts tomorrow, will be broadcast live in virtual reality. It will be the first ever live, multi-camera virtual reality broadcast.
The event will be streamed at VIP tents at the U.S. Open, where 100 to 300 people will be able to strap on a headset and experience the Open as if they were at one of the holes. Additionally, the golf tournament will be live streamed to FOX Sports locations in New York, Los Angeles and Vancouver, where viewers will get the same virtual reality experience.
Despite NextVR’s experience in the world of broadcasting sports in virtual reality, this will be the first time they will try covering an event with five different camera rigs. Viewers will be able to choose which hole they wish to virtually visit.
NextVR’s broadcast is available over all virtual reality headset platforms, although they have primarily worked with Samsung, and highlights of the U.S. Open will be available via the NextVR portal after the event is finished.
NextVR and FOX Sports have worked once before in the past, when FOX Sports producers and executives tested out NextVR’s broadcasting technology with a couple different NASCAR races in March.
Additionally, NextVR executed a live stream test with the Golden State Warriors owner Peter Guber a couple of months ago. Guber then went on to become a NextVR Advisory Board member and invested in the company. And to date, NextVR has shot events for the NHL, NBA, MLB and NASCAR.
With the U.S. Open joining the virtual reality movement it seems the budding new technology can be applied to pretty much any sport to enhance fan viewing experiences.
