The Turner Sports division of US cable-television broadcaster Turner Broadcasting System and technology company Intel have launched a new platform that will result in extensive virtual reality coverage of North American basketball league the NBA.
In November, Turner Sports and Intel agreed a multi-year deal to jointly offer VR coverage of the NBA. The partnership is utilising Intel True VR technology to deliver live VR content for marquee NBA games broadcast on Turner’s TNT network.
The NBA on TNT VR app has now launched, taking fans directly inside NBA on TNT's Studio J, which was re-created in VR and serves as the portal into all the available programming.
Fans can watch game highlights and game recaps and, once logged in with their television service provider information, have access to select live NBA on TNT games and full game replays in VR, featuring in-game broadcast stats. Every game will feature at least four camera angles, including courtside at the best seats in the arena or up in the stands for a bird's eye view.
NBA on TNT VR will tip off tomorrow (Friday) with live streaming of events from NBA All-Star 2018, which takes place in Los Angeles.
After NBA All-Star, one match-up per week on NBA on TNT's regular season schedule – all featuring teams currently in playoff contention – will be available live on the NBA on TNT VR app. An initial seven-game schedule has been announced, commencing with the clash between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers on February 22.
Additionally, NBA on TNT VR will present select NBA on TNT playoff games, through the 2018 Western Conference Finals.