The BBC has launched BBC Sport 360 ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympics.
The experimental service will bring Olympics coverage live and on-demand to UK audiences in 360-degree video for the first time.
It will be available for a range of sporting highlights, including the opening and closing ceremonies, athletics, and a ‘closer-than-ringside view’ of the boxing.
The service starts on 5 August through a dedicated BBC Sport 360 trial app, available on Android, iOS and Samsung Gear VR.
Coverage will also be available online through BBC Taster allowing people to try, rate and give feedback to help the BBC learn from the experimental service.
There will be live 360 video footage of an event each day during the Games, with around 100 hours in total and a choice of up to four different camera angles, plus a daily 360 video highlights package.
Justin Barritt, executive product manager, BBC Sport, said, “The BBC delivered the first truly digital Olympics for London 2012 and we’ve continued to develop and improve our digital service ever since.”
“Now, we’re pushing the boundaries once again to bring people closer to the action than ever before. Not everyone can make it to Rio to cheer on Team GB so we’re looking forward to giving sport fans the next best thing.”
The new 360 video offering complements BBC Sport’s digital service for the Rio Olympics, which will bring every event live from Brazil with up to 24 live HD streams, catch-up video, personalised features and services, the latest news and in-depth analysis.
Will Saunders, editorial lead, BBC Taster, said, “This is a hugely exciting next step in our 360 and virtual reality experiments. There’s huge potential for immersive video in sport coverage, as well as many other genres, and we want to explore that potential directly with audiences.
“That’s why we experiment out in the open, so people can tell us what works, what doesn’t and whether there’s an appetite for more. We can’t wait to hear what people think.”
