NextVR and National Hockey League Bring Fans Closer to the Ice with Virtual Reality
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Jan. 31, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- NextVR, the leader in broadcasting live events in virtual reality, and the National Hockey League (NHL) in association with Disney Streaming Services, today announced a new partnership to bring fans unique experiences in virtual reality, featuring digital highlights from select 2019 NHL marquee events.
NextVR will launch the exclusive partnership by releasing a virtual reality experience captured at the 2019 Honda NHL® All-Star Game on Saturday, Jan. 26, in San Jose, Calif. Content captured includes digital highlight packages produced by NextVR in a 3D stereoscopic VR format. This content is now available for free to fans globally on a new NHL channel within the NextVR app.
"There couldn't be a better time to add the NHL to our growing portfolio of content partnerships. The VR industry continues to gather momentum after a blockbuster holiday shopping season, and now more sports fans than ever will be able to immerse themselves in this completely new hockey VR experience," said Danny Keens, VP of Content at NextVR. "NHL fans are passionate and always on the look-out for more action and adrenaline. This partnership will give them sensations that only fans at the arena have been able to experience so far."
"We are always looking to create new experiences for our passionate fans, and are pleased to partner with NextVR, a global leader in producing virtual reality content. Not every fan can experience our marquee events in-person, but NextVR's immersive content will bring fans closer to the on-ice action than ever before and make them feel like they are at a live NHL game," said Chris Golier, NHL Vice President of Business Development.
The content will provide fans with a game-changing, new hockey experience, featuring VR post game highlights from some of the NHL's biggest events including the excitement of the fans, speed and finesse of NHL's teams, big hits, epic matchups and goals, giving fans the opportunity to see the action as if they were in the arena.
NextVR is available on nearly all existing VR platforms. Fans can download the free NextVR app from the stores associated with the following platforms: Oculus Go, Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR, HTC VIVE Pro, HTC Vive Focus, HTC VIVE, Windows Mixed Reality, Pimax, Gear VR, and Google Daydream.
Visit nextvr.com and follow @NextVR on Twitter and Instagram and NextVR on Facebook for #NHLinVR programming announcements.
NHL and the NHL Shield are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. All Rights Reserved.
About NextVR
NextVR is the world's best virtual reality platform for delivering live sports and music in VR to fans globally. Launched in 2009, the company has patented technology that delivers an unparalleled VR experience providing fans extraordinary access and profound immersion. NextVR has world-class partnerships with leaders in sports and entertainment including the NBA, WWE, FOX Sports, Live Nation, and the International Champions Cup. NextVR was founded by industry leaders with decades of experience in 3D stereoscopic imaging, compression technology and VR broadcasting. For more information, visit NextVR.com.
About the NHL
The National Hockey League (NHL®), founded in 1917, consists of 31 Member Clubs, each reflecting the League's international makeup with players from more than 20 countries represented on team rosters, vying for the most cherished and historic trophy in professional sports - the Stanley Cup®. Every year, the NHL entertains more than 670 million fans in-arena and through its partners on national television and radio; more than 151 million followers - league, team and player accounts combined - across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube; and more than 100 million fans online at NHL.com. The League broadcasts games in more than 160 countries and territories through its rightsholders including NBC/NBCSN and the NHL Network(TM) in the U.S., Sportsnet and TVA in Canada, Viasat in the Nordic Region and CCTV and Tencent in China. The NHL reaches fans worldwide with games available online in every country including via its live and on-demand streaming service NHL.TV(TM). Fans are engaged across the League's digital assets on mobile devices via the free NHL® App; across nine social media platforms; on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio(TM); and on NHL.com, available in eight languages and featuring unprecedented access to player and team statistics as well as every regular-season and playoff game box score dating back to the League's inception, powered by SAP. The NHL is committed to building healthy and vibrant communities through the sport of hockey by increasing youth participation and engagement; fostering positive family experiences; promoting inclusion, positive culture and leadership; and supporting sustainable community impact.
About Disney Streaming Services
Disney Streaming Services is a business unit within The Walt Disney Company's Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment that oversees consumer-facing digital video subscription services across the company. Disney Streaming is responsible for developing and operating The Walt Disney Company's direct-to-consumer video businesses globally, including the ESPN+ premium sports streaming service, programmed in conjunction with ESPN; the upcoming Disney+ streaming service; and Bamtech Media, a global leader in direct-to-consumer video streaming products and solutions. In addition to first-party apps, Disney Streaming operates the flagship NHL app and out-of-market package, NHL.TV, in partnership with the National Hockey League. Its core mission is to deliver global audiences the freedom to access content on their terms across any connected device, time or location.
Media Contacts:
Marie Sornin
NextVR
press(at)nextvr(dot)com
Brad Klein
NHL Communications
212-324-8140
bklein(at)nhl(dot)com
Jessica Casano-Antonellis
Disney Streaming Services
Jessica(dot)Casano(at)disney(dot)com
SOURCE NextVR
