The ATP Media broadcast division of the ATP World Tour, the top professional men’s tennis circuit, has entered into a partnership with virtual reality company LiveLike VR.
The two parties will collaborate to launch a virtual reality lounge at the BNP Paribas Open ATP World Tour event, which is currently ongoing in the US city of Indian Wells.
LiveLike VR technology will be used to create a simulated courtside experience for the viewer. Wide-lens cameras will stream footage from a variety of angles into the viewer’s virtual reality headsets.
The partnership will cover the duration of the BNP Paribas Open on an initial trial basis. In a statement, ATP Media confirmed it would “further assess the potential of the virtual reality streaming experience, both to broadcasters and direct to consumers” upon the conclusion of the event on Sunday.
“Incorporating a family of groundbreaking and innovative partners into our existing production model allows us to enhance coverage quality and evolve how the ATP World Tour is being consumed,” Stuart Watts, ATP Media’s chief operating officer, said.