Sky VR Goes Live

LONDON: Sky has made a big push in the world of virtual reality with the launch of the brand-new app Sky VR.

The app, which is available now for anyone to download for free, showcases a range of immersive, 360-degree videos from Sky and a range of content from Sky’s partners, including Star Wars: Red Carpet, Anthony Joshua: Becoming World Champion and clips from Disney’s The Jungle Book.

To coincide with the app’s launch, Sky revealed two brand-new VR experiences: Sky Sports: Closer featuring David Beckham and, coming later this fall, a performance from English National Ballet’s production of Giselle ahead of its forthcoming U.K. tour.

In his second piece of VR content for Sky Sports, Beckham is seen entering a Sky VR simulator, which takes him and the viewer to visit the world’s best sports events. The footage was created in-house by the Sky VR Studios, in collaboration with Google.

Beckham said: “It was great to work with Sky and Google on this film to launch the new Sky Virtual Reality app. The team from the Sky VR studio came up with an incredible concept that shows the range of sport Sky offers. Being able to take other sports fans on a journey into some of the world’s biggest sporting events was a unique opportunity.”

Gary Davey, the managing director of content at Sky, commented: “Interest in VR content is building, generating more excitement every day. We are just at the beginning of our VR journey at Sky, launching Sky VR studios earlier this year and we are already breaking new ground. Now comes the creative challenge of deploying this immersive experience with engaging storytelling. I am a big believer.”

Stephen Nuttall, the senior director at Google and YouTube, added: “Great storytelling from Sky, in VR, for free on YouTube, and all accessible through Google Cardboard—a winning combination! Whether you’re passionate for sports or Beckham (or both!), this great partnership enables wonderful VR experiences for all to enjoy.”