Sky has announced the launch of its new VR app, Sky VR, bringing movies, sports, and TV into virtual reality.
The app has been made available for everyone with a VR headset to download for free, showcasing various immersive 360-degree videos from Sky to the best content from Sky’s partners. It will also be viewable in 2D without a headset.
Sky will also be revealing two brand new VR experiences; Sky Sports: Closer, which will feature David Beckham and a fascinating VR ballet footage from the English National Ballet’s production of Giselle.
Gary Davey, managing director for content at Sky said: “Interest in VR content is building, generating more excitement every day. We are just at the beginning of our VR journey at Sky, launching Sky VR studios earlier this year and we are already breaking new ground.”
The former English professional footballer, David Beckham will be seen entering a Sky VR simulator, in which viewers will gain the opportunity to visit the world’s best sports events at the touch of a button.
The footage was created by the Sky VR studios, in collaboration with Google.
David Beckham said: “It was great to work with Sky and Google on this film to launch the new Sky Virtual Reality app. The team from the Sky VR studio came up with an incredible concept that shows the range of sport Sky offers.”
The launch of the Sky VR app is to welcome to around 20 different pieces of 360-degree video content from Sky Disney, Fox Innovation Lab, Warner Brothers and others.
Stephen Nuttall, Senior director at Google and YouTube said: “Great storytelling from Sky, in VR, for free on YouTube, and all accessible through Google cardboard- a winning combination.”
In order for the full immersive experience of 360-video to be accessible to as many people as possible, Sky will be giving away thousands of Google Cardboards to people visiting Sky backstage The O2 from 20th October.
The app will also work when using Samsung Gear VR and Oculus Rift.
