NEW YORK — NBA Digital and NextVR, the leader in broadcasting live events in virtual reality, will live stream at least one NBA LEAGUE PASS game per week in virtual reality during the 2016-17 season. This programming marks the first regular schedule of live games delivered in VR by a professional sports league. As part of this multiyear partnership, NextVR becomes the “Official LEAGUE PASS VR Partner of the NBA.”
NBA LEAGUE PASS is part of NBA Digital, the NBA’s extensive cross-platform portfolio of digital assets jointly managed by the NBA and Turner Sports.
The first VR game will be available for free – as part of the NBA LEAGUE PASS free trial period – on Oct. 27 when the Sacramento Kings host the San Antonio Spurs at the Golden 1 Center. The full schedule will be announced later this month.
Fans with a Samsung Gear VR headset and a compatible Samsung smartphone can experience the free preview by accessing the NBA Channel within the NextVR app. Later this season, the offering will be expanded to support additional VR headset options.
The weekly games will be available as part of the NBA LEAGUE PASS full season package. Whether purchased through a third party distributor or directly through the NBA, fans will be able to authenticate their accounts by inputting their NBA LEAGUE PASS login credentials (obtained at NBA.com or the NBA App) within NextVR’s app.
The VR broadcasts will be fully produced with dedicated announcers, multiple unmanned camera angles and optimized graphics. Game breaks will be filled with in-venue entertainment, behind-the-scenes footage from the arena and VR-specific commentary.
Last season, NextVR and Turner Sports delivered NBA fans the first live professional sports game in virtual reality on opening night of the 2015-16 NBA season when the Golden State Warriors defeated the New Orleans Pelicans at Oracle Arena. Along with the live game presentation, fans had the opportunity to access the live broadcast of the Warriors ring ceremony presentation in virtual reality.
How to Experience the Free Preview on Oct. 27
Fans with a subscription to NBA LEAGUE PASS can watch the virtual reality experience featuring the Sacramento Kings vs. San Antonio Spurs game by downloading the free NextVR app for Samsung Gear VR, which is available in the Oculus Home app store, and accessing the NBA Channel which launches Oct. 27. For more detailed instructions, go to http://www.NextVR.com/GetVR.
