BTN said it will become the first college sports network to provide a live football game in virtual reality this Saturday, when Minnesota takes on Nebraska at 7:30 p.m. ET.
BTN is teaming on the VR production with Voke, a maker of sports-focused VR production cameras and systems that was recently acquired by Intel Corp.
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BTN said it will use Voke’s TrueVR platform and power the production with four 180-degree HD cameras along with augmented graphics and the live audio stream. Consumers can watch by downloading Voke’s GearVR app for the Oculus-powered Samsung GearVR mobile headset.
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BTN said it will also post highlights from the game in “near real time.”
“We’re always exploring ways to integrate new technology into the Big Ten fan experience,” said Michael Calderon, BTN Vice President of Digital Media and Programming, in a statement. “We see virtual reality and our partnership with VOKE as an opportunity to provide Big Ten fans a unique way to watch their favorite team from a whole new perspective.”
BTN is also streaming the game on the web, smartphones, tablets and connected devices via the recently relaunched BTN2Go app/platform.
Of recent note, NextVR teamed with Notre Dame for a VR production around the Oct. 15 football game between the Fighting Irish and Stanford on NBC.
