Sky Releases Virtual Reality App

Sky and Surround Vision have released a new virtual reality app featuring 360-degree videos from the world of sport, film and arts.

The coincide with the launch, Sky also revealed a VR experience; Sky Sports: Closer, featuring David Beckham. It will be later followed by the English National Ballet’s production of Giselle.

It will be the second piece of VR content that David Beckham has been involved with and it sees the footballer enter a Sky VR simulator, which takes him and the viewer to visit sports events at the touch of a button.

The footage was created by Sky VR Studios, in collaboration with Google, with viewers able to go trackside at Silverstone or watch Anthony Joshua in the boxing ring.

“It was great to work with Sky and Google on this film to launch the new Sky Virtual Reality app,” said Beckham. “The team from the Sky VR studio came up with an incredible concept that shows the range of sport Sky offers.

“Being able to take other sports fans on a journey into some of the world’s biggest sporting events was a unique opportunity.”

At launch the Sky VR app will be home to around twenty different pieces of 360-degree video content from Sky, Disney, Fox Innovation Lab, Warner Brothers, Baobab Studios, Jaunt, Innerspace and Surround Vision. 

Neil Graham, executive producer at Sky VR Studio, said: “VR has unlimited potential for audience engagement and is on the cusp of going mainstream. But to launch the Sky VR app with thoroughly engaging and boundary-pushing content, we needed content creation partners with a flair for delivering beyond the static 360-degree experience. With six years at the forefront of the 360-degree revolution, Surround Vision were the perfect partners.”

Richard Nockles, creative director of Sky VR Studio, and Surround Vision founder, added: “We pride ourselves on taking bold steps in setting the bar for 360-degree content by continuing to experiment with narrative and experiential VR.

“For this project, that meant creating a fully immersive theatrical experience to blow the audience away with intimate and fast-paced sporting action shots. It keeps the audience engaged and constantly looking around.”

The app is available to download on a compatible mobile from Google Play or the App Store.