Perhaps even more than the Summer Olympics, the speed and action of the Winter Olympics lends itself to dynamic entertainment, which is why NBC and Intel will be collaborating to present the 2018 PyongChang Winter Olympics in VR through the NBC Sports VR app. The duo has announced that it will stream 30 events in 180-degree stereoscopic view with Intel's True VR system.
Though this won't be the first instance of VR sports, these games will indeed offer up the first Winter Olympic events to be streamed live in VR. 18 of the 30 VR events will be available completely live, while the remaining 12 will be available on demand the following day.
Events on offer include many marquee offerings like Men's Downhill, Men's Snowboard Halfpipe, Pairs Free Figure Skating, Short Track Speed Skating, and Women's Ice Hockey.
VR-Streaming Olympic Events
NBC and Intel Will Stream 2018 Winter Olympic Events on NBC Sports VR
Trend Themes
1. Live VR Streaming - The collaboration between NBC and Intel to stream Winter Olympic events in VR presents opportunities for businesses to explore live VR streaming in other sporting events or entertainment experiences.
2. 180-degree Stereoscopic View - The use of Intel's True VR system to present the 2018 Winter Olympic events in 180-degree stereoscopic view showcases the potential for immersive viewing experiences, providing opportunities for businesses in the virtual reality technology and content creation industries.
3. On-demand VR Content - The availability of 12 VR events on-demand the following day demonstrates the demand for flexible VR experiences, creating opportunities for businesses to develop platforms or services that offer on-demand VR content for various industries.
Industry Implications
1. Sports Broadcasting - The VR streaming of Olympic events by NBC and Intel highlights potential disruptive innovation opportunities for sports broadcasting companies to incorporate virtual reality technology into their coverage and provide immersive experiences for viewers.
2. Virtual Reality Technology - The collaboration between NBC and Intel to stream Winter Olympic events in VR showcases the need for advancements in virtual reality technology, presenting opportunities for businesses in the VR hardware and software development sectors.
3. Entertainment and Media - The live streaming and on-demand availability of VR content for the Winter Olympics indicates the growing demand for immersive entertainment experiences, opening avenues for businesses in the entertainment and media industries to explore the integration of virtual reality into their offerings.