FOX Sports Teams With NextVR To Explore Virtual Reality At NASCAR Events

LOS ANGELES, March 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Coming off a successful test of drone broadcast technology at the Indianapolis Monster Energy Supercross race earlier this month, FOX Sports steps into the rapidly evolving world of virtual reality with NextVR, a technology company that captures and delivers live and on-demand virtual reality experiences.

The VR test, believed to be the first of its kind at a NASCAR event, was set up at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., with NextVR's patented encoding technology enabling the live streaming of the race in virtual reality.  NextVR's software application, embedded in a mobile phone that is then connected to a Samsung Gear VR headset, enables viewers to experience the event as if they were there. The footage was streamed to FOX Sports Executives and Producers in the FOX Sports at-track television compound. Working through both Saturday's NASCAR XFINITY Series race and Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, two cameras captured 180-degree and 360-degree views from positions never before enjoyed by most NASCAR fans -- one on pit road and the other in between the track and the pits.  

"NextVR has spent the last six years perfecting their VR technology, which made them the logical first choice for FOX Sports to partner with for this test," said Mike Davies, FOX Sports SVP Field Operations. "NextVR currently is one of the only companies with the ability to transmit live in VR, and their technology is built on a broadcast platform, making it infinitely scalable."

NextVR's patented broadcast-quality technology currently is the only virtual reality platform system capable of transmitting long-form live VR content.  NextVR has tested and proven its live platform with the NHL and NBA. They have also filmed recorded VR experiences for the rock band Coldplay and others.

"Live transmission is really the killer app for virtual reality – enabling viewers to witness sporting events as they happen, live in VR and from locations beyond a front row seat," said DJ Roller, Co-Founder of NextVR. "We could not be happier to work with FOX Sports to bring virtual reality to NASCAR fans and all of their viewers around the world."

For more information about NextVR, please visit www.NextVR.com.

About NextVR

NextVR is a technology company that captures and delivers live and on-demand virtual reality experiences. From rock concerts to sporting events to fashion shows, and everything in-between – viewers are transported into life-like experiences with true broadcast quality. It's better than being there. Launched in 2009, NextVR has a vast IP portfolio with more than twenty-three patents granted and pending for the capture, compression, transmission, and display of virtual reality content.  No other company can compete with this. NextVR also allows content to be streamed with pristine quality using current home and mobile Internet connections. Founded by veterans in stereoscopic imaging technology, software development and an award-winning filmmaker – NextVR provides a deeply immersive experience. You're in it, not watching it. For more information, go to http://www.nextvr.com/

About FOX Sports

FOX Sports is the umbrella entity representing 21st Century FOX's wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets.  Built with brands capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, FOX Sports includes ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing partnerships.  FOX Sports includes the sports television arm of the FOX Broadcasting Company; FOX Sports 1; FOX Sports 2; Fox's 22 regional sports networks, their affiliated regional web sites and FSN national programming; FOX Soccer Plus and FOX Soccer 2Go; FOX Deportes and FOX College Sports.  In addition, FOX Sports also encompasses FOX Sports Digital, which includes FOXSports.com, FOX Sports GO, Whatifsports.com and Yardbarker.com.  Also included in the Group are FOX's interests in joint-venture businesses Big Ten Network and BTN 2Go, as well as licensing agreements that establish the FOX Sports Radio Network.

SOURCE NextVR; FOX Sports

Related Links

http://www.NextVR.com