Intel, Turner strike VR partnership for NBA coverage

The Turner Sports division of US cable-television broadcaster Turner Broadcasting System and technology company Intel have agreed a multi-year deal to jointly offer virtual reality (VR) coverage of North America’s NBA basketball league.

The partnership will utilise Intel True VR technology to deliver live VR content for marquee NBA games broadcast on Turner’s TNT network.

Viewers can use Intel True VR to watch games from multiple camera angles in a number of locations inside the venue, including courtside and in the stands.

Intel will also become an authorised provider of VR and 360-degree volumetric video with Intel freeDTM technology for official NBA broadcast partners globally.

The NBA VR game experiences will be available via the TNT VR application on Samsung GearVR and Google Daydream headsets for download from the Oculus and Google Play stores.

The deal will begin with the 2018 NBA All-Star Game, which takes place at Staples Center in Los Angeles on February 18.