MTG to Present Olympic Coverage in VR & Ultra HD

STOCKHOLM: MTG’s Viasat will be the first broadcaster in the Nordics to make live sports content available in 360-degree virtual reality (VR), and the first European broadcaster to present the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Ultra HD 4K.

Viasat Sport 360 and the new TV channel Viasat Ultra HD will become available in Sweden in time for the Olympics opening ceremony on August 5. The launch of the VR app Viasat Sport 360 is a collaboration with Samsung and can be experienced with Samsung smartphones compatible with Samsung Gear VR headsets. The launch of Viasat Ultra HD is also in cooperation with Samsung, as well as satellite operator SES, and will include more than 120 hours of Olympics coverage in super high definition.

Bartek Gudowski, the CTO at MTG Broadcasting, commented: “Ultra HD, VR and 360-degree video are revolutionizing the way we watch and enjoy TV. These exciting technologies enable products that bring viewers closer to the action than ever before, and it does not get any bigger than the Olympics. We love to embrace new ideas that can shape the future of entertainment, and look forward to delivering an even better Olympic experience for Swedish sports fans.”

Adam Fors, the Nordic marketing manager at Samsung, added: “The sport experience is enhanced the closer you get to the athletes. With innovations like our smartphones coupled with our Gear VR accessory device that enable users to experience VR content, we help to break down the barrier of distance between the audience and the Olympians in a whole new way, making you feel the joy and excitement as if you had the best seats at the Games in Rio.”