Virtual reality app takes television to the next level

The American television channel CNN makes its TV offer virtually tangible. With the help of a VR app and the Oculus Rift, viewers can experience reports and news items as a 360-degree world. 

The VR app from CNN around one hundred documentaries from over 75 countries, all recorded in 4K and broadcast using the technology of VR streaming start-up Pixvana, according to CNN. The videos have been produced by CNN's globally active VR reporters since around March 2017.

News ticker keeps you up to date

To make sure you don't miss anything in the real world while you are wearing VR glasses, users are constantly shown the latest content with a news ticker and breaking news from CNN's Twitter stream. There are also plans to provide new VR documentaries and content on a weekly basis. The app optimised for Oculus Rift is available in the Oculus Store under the name "CNNVR exclusive".

CNN developed the VR app, which has been specially improved for Oculus Rift compared to the mobile version, together with Magnopus, a studio specialising in VR, known for the VR experiences for the Disney film "Coco", "Mission: ISS" and "Blade Runner 2049: Memory Lab".

The next level of live reporting

CNN itself describes the new app as the very first live VR news experience in human history. Users will be able to immerse themselves in current world events live and much more tangibly than before and experience them up close. CNN's Head of VR Jason Farkas describes this next big step as follows: "The written word has been augmented by photos, photos by films and videos, videos by social media. VR and AR are another step towards more realism in the news. As they mature, viewers will get a more vivid and impactful impression of the world we live in."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeNvJC1EVXI&feature=youtu.be

CNN is another major player in the media industry entering the VR business. More and more media are integrating VR into their offerings. Virtual reality gives journalists the opportunity to bring their stories to life and finally offer consumers something new. VR stories create many stimuli on different levels and are therefore particularly intense.

Source: Mobile industry / Vrodo