England Netball can announce that its broadcast partner, Sky will offer its VIP members a unique live Virtual Reality (VR) viewing experience for selected Vitality Netball Superleague games during the 2021 season.
A broadcast first for the sport live, the immersive cameras will be set up at the Copper Box Arena in London bringing Sky VIP customers live coverage of 20 upcoming Vitality Netball Superleague games. Using a three-camera set up, the broadcaster will be live-streaming uninterrupted coverage over eight days, allowing viewers to switch angles and invite their friends into a Watchzone where fans are connected around a shared viewing experience.
The VR viewing experience will be available for Vitality Netball Superleague games on 28, 29, 30 31 May and 13, 14, 26 and 27 June.
Netball is the second sport to be made available on Sky Worlds since the platform launched in 2020, with select Premier League football fixtures being featured to date as part of the initial roll out. Sky Worlds is a Virtual Reality viewing platform, designed to take advantage of the growing advances in immersive technology with a core aim of creating an enveloping viewing experience.
Through the 180-live experience viewers can be transported into stadiums, and now courtside, and given the option to view the action from unique camera positions watching as if they were there.
Fran Connolly, CEO of England Netball, said: “We are always looking at ways to develop netball as a game, and how to deepen the connection with the Netball Family, so it’s incredibly exciting to be offering an innovative way to bring fans closer to the game. Particularly when they’ve missed out on attending games over the last year. It’s also a real reflection of our broadcast partner Sky’s commitment, investing in the game to such an extent.”
Matt McCartney, Head of Immersive Technology at Sky TV added: “We are very excited to have another major launch moment for Sky Worlds, with netball being the second sport launched in live VR for our VIP customers. Sky Sports has been a long-standing partner of England Netball and we’re proud to be able to offer customers this next level experience. It will allow fans to watch matches live, like never before, and in a time where we can’t get to the stadiums, viewers will be able to watch along with friends and family thanks to our co-viewing feature, Watchzone.”
To find out more about Sky VIP, and how to watch the Vitality Netball Superleague in VR before the 2021 season finishes, please go to the Sky website. Sky VIP customers can access all the areas on Sky Worlds in addition to the live netball games. Sky VIP members need to have their own headsets in order to experience this offer at home.
