Virtual reality (VR) programming has been part of European operator Sky’s game plan for a while now. Back in November it released its first VR news report about the migrant crisis in Europe, which it made in collaboration with Jaunt. That report was filmed using Jaunt ONE, a professional-grade VR camera. Sky also announced investments in that VR company last year.
Yesterday, Sky announced it is further stepping up the production of VR content across all its markets via the new Sky VR Studio, a dedicated in-house VR production unit. The first VR pieces produced by the unit include two films shot during Formula 1 testing in Barcelona, allowing viewers VR access to the pit lane, team garages and the track.
Those VR pieces will be made available via the Facebook 360 Video platform. The VR experience also will be available on the Oculus platform, and viewable on the Samsung Gear VR and Oculus Rift headsets. Later in the year, Sky will look to distribute content through a dedicated Sky VR app.
Over the coming months, Sky VR Studio is slated to create content around heavyweight boxing and the Tour de France as well as other news and entertainment programming.