Canadian pay-television broadcaster Rogers Sportsnet has unveiled a six-week virtual reality trial which it claims will set a first for NHL broadcasts.
Sportsnet has joined forces with brewing company Molson Coors on the initiative. For six consecutive Saturday night hockey broadcasts, fans will be able to watch games live in 360 VR on Sportsnet.ca and the Sportsnet app by using special virtual reality viewfinders.
The scheme will commence with the clash between the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames on February 18 before concluding with Ottawa Senators’ trip to the Montreal Canadiens on March 25.
Three different 360 VR cameras will be used during the games, allowing viewers to experience the live action on the ice and take in the atmosphere in the arena. Fans can also watch behind-the-scenes footage from select NHL teams and on-demand highlight videos.
The viewfinders are currently available exclusively in select cases of Molson Canadian across Canada. The kit includes a VR headset and unique pin code to access all the VR content.