The new 360 video offering complements BBC Sport’s comprehensive digital service for the Rio Olympics, which will bring every event live from Brazil with up to 24 live HD streams, catch-up video, personalised features and services, the latest news and in-depth analysis, all of which will be available via the BBC Sport website, the BBC Sport app or watching on a Connected TV.
It also builds on the BBC’s work exploring the potential of the technology, which included some of the industry’s earliest live 360 video trials, completed at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, alongside recent projects, such as behind-the-scenes 360 views of an FA Cup semi-final and BBC’s Six Nations studio, looking at how 360 video and virtual reality might help to inform, educate and entertain in the future.
Justin Barritt, Executive Product Manager, BBC Sport, said: “The BBC delivered the first truly digital Olympics for London 2012 and we’ve continued to develop and improve our digital service ever since.
“Now, we’re pushing the boundaries once again to bring people closer to the action than ever before.
“Not everyone can make it to Rio to cheer on Team GB so we’re looking forward to giving sport fans the next best thing.”
Will Saunders, Editorial Lead, BBC Taster, says: “This is a hugely exciting next step in our 360 and virtual reality experiments.
“There’s huge potential for immersive video in sport coverage, as well as many other genres, and we want to explore that potential directly with audiences.
“That’s why we experiment out in the open, so people can tell us what works, what doesn’t and whether there’s an appetite for more. We can’t wait to hear what people think.”
The BBC Sport 360 service can be viewed on devices compatible with Samsung VR headsets or on a low cost mobile VR headset using Android or iOS smartphones.
Users will need to download the BBC Sport 360 trial app and slot the phone into the headset to watch live and on-demand coverage.
The 360 video content can also be viewed on desktop PC on the BBC Taster website without a headset, where users can manually scroll or move their device around the video for a full 360 view.
RIO 2016 OLYMPICS on BBC SPORT 360
UK Time, subject to change
Friday, August 5 – 0000-0330 – Opening Ceremony
Saturday, August 6 – 1400-1750, 1930-2020, 0100-0450 – Beach Volleyball
Sunday, August 7 – 1400-1750, 1930-2020, 0100-0450 – Beach Volleyball
Monday, August 8 – 1500-1800, 2100-0000 – Boxing
Tuesday, August 9 – 1500-1800, 2100-0000 – Boxing
Wednesday, August 10 – 2000-2245 – Artistic Gymnastics
Thursday, August 11 – 2000-2210 – Artistic Gymnastics
Friday, August 12 – 1300-1930, 2100-2350 – Fencing
Saturday, August 13 – 1330-1650 & 0000-0315 – Athletics
Sunday, August 14 – 0020-0230 – Athletics
Monday, August 15 – 1330-1610 & 0015-0250 – Athletics
Tuesday, August 16 – 1330-1640 & 0015-0250 – Athletics
Wednesday, August 17 – 0200-0505 – Beach Volleyball
Thursday, August 18 – 0200-0505 – Beach Volleyball
Friday, August 19 – 1930-2130 – Basketball (Men’s Semi-Finals)
Saturday, August 20 – 1500-1650 & 1930-2200 – Diving
Sunday, August 21 – 1530-1730 & 1945-2205 – Basketball (Men’s Finals)
Monday, August 22 – 0000-0330 – Closing Ceremony
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