NBCU & Google Pact for VR Content

NBCUniversal has partnered with Google to produce virtual reality content surrounding shows such as Saturday Night Live and Vanderpump Rules.

NBCU and Google will collaborate on at least ten multi-episode VR productions that will bring fans closer to certain shows—placing them inside the scene and allowing them to look around. The partnership leverages NBCUniversal’s content and Google’s technology.

The experiences are being produced using Jump, Google’s platform for VR video capture that combines high-quality VR cameras and automated stitching. Future select VR experiences will also be available in VR180, a new VR format providing 4K, three-dimensional video.

The VR project slate already includes original content from NBC’s Saturday Night Live, Bravo’s Vanderpump Rules and SYFY WIRE, with more NBCUniversal networks, channels and shows to follow in the coming months, including projects from E!, NBC, NBC News, NBC Sports, SYFY, Telemundo and USA Network.

“We are constantly looking for opportunities to bring consumers new ways to experience content from across the NBCUniversal portfolio,” said Ron Lamprecht, executive VP of NBCUniversal Digital Enterprises. “This partnership combines the creative expertise of NBCUniversal with Google’s VR capabilities to create these engaging experiences. We look forward to working with Google and YouTube on more collaborations like this in the future.”

“NBCUniversal’s networks and shows have a proven track record of high-quality storytelling that audiences can’t get enough of. Bringing them to VR lets fans connect with that content in a whole new way,” said Amit Singh, VP of business and operations for VR and AR at Google. “NBCU’s teams were able to easily capture engaging VR content using the latest VR Jump cameras. And with YouTube, audiences can experience it on any device, bringing them closer to their favorite series.”