ESPN, Fox, NBC, CBS and Turner Sports have "experimented with the idea of using virtual reality to enhance the at-home viewing experience, by superimposing realistic-looking fans onto screens," according to sources cited by Andrew Marchand of the N.Y. POST. The idea is "in its infancy and there is a mixture of opinions toward it, but it is something the networks are playing with as fan-less games appear to be the immediate reality." Fox' Joe Buck earlier this week on Andy Cohen's SiriusXM show said, "They're looking at ways to put virtual fans in the stands so when you see a wide shot it looks the stadium is jam-packed." Marchand notes this is "part of the reimagining of how to broadcast potential games" during the pandemic, which also could include "increased use of drones and different, potentially closer camera angles." Fan-less sports "will lead to new challenges" as well. ESPN Exec VP/Event & Studio Production Stephanie Druley said, "Audio becomes a big issue. Now, you can pick up everything that is being said. We have had discussions about really leaning into the audio as part of the broadcast" (N.Y. POST, 5/14).
