May 30, 2017 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has announced VR Live Pass on Gear VR, a lineup of global live entertainment partnerships with the UFC, X Games and Live Nation. Samsung will stream select live virtual reality broadcasts of action sports and music events through the Gear VR platform.
“We are excited to offer Samsung Gear VR users the opportunity to experience their favorite live music and sporting events through our VR ecosystem,” said Younghee Lee, CMO and Executive Vice President, Samsung Electronics. “Partnering with these companies to expand our VR services helps us to open up a new gateway of opportunities for fans”.
UFC Chief Operating Officer, Ike Lawrence Epstein said: “We’ve always felt that the potential of combining UFC events with virtual reality would give our fans the ultimate enhanced experience”. He added, “We’re excited to partner with Samsung on this game-changing initiative to further revolutionize how fight fans consume our content and live events around the world.”
Tim Reed, Vice President, ESPN X Games, commented: “The X Games is the premier action sports event that continually provides a platform for athletic progression,” adding, “Samsung’s Gear VR technology is perfect to showcase dynamic action sports to viewers across the world.”
The live broadcasts will begin in early June 2017 and will include the following:
- UFC 212: ALDO vs. HOLLOWAY, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 3, 2017: For the first time in UFC history, the event will be live streamed in Virtual Reality. Fans can watch the event in high-quality 360-degree video and will have access to additional VR content, including pre-event and post-event show highlights with UFC featherweight champion José Aldo and interim UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway.*
- X Games Minneapolis, USA July 13 – 16, 2017: Gear VR users will be able to experience the X Games from the comfort of their homes as they watch competing BMX riders and skaters, including Jimmy Wilkins, Chad Kerley and Jagger Eaton.
- Live Music Concert with an International Artist, USA August, 2017: Music fans will be able to watch an international music act with Live Nation.
The VR Live Pass on Gear VR events will be available through the Samsung VR app, enabling Gear VR users to watch the events and performances without the need to physically attend and will be able to access this content at no cost.
*Live streams of the UFC 212 main card, including the championship main event, are available in countries where Samsung VR is available, except the U.S. and New Zealand. Gear VR users in the U.S. will have access to the UFC FIGHT PASS early prelims.
Visit the Auganix HUD for more information on Samsung.
Image credit: Samsung
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Sam is the Founder and Managing Editor of Auganix. With a background in research and report writing, he has been covering XR industry news for the past seven years.