SBS Launches Virtual Reality App – SBS On Demand VR

SBS has this morning announced a dedicated Virtual Reality app for your smartphone that will showcase 360 degree video content produced by SBS and the independent production community.

SBS is the first Australian broadcaster to launch a VR app expanding it’s catch up brand SBS On Demand to the new app which is called SBS On Demand VR.

Available now on both iOS and Android, the App currently has three 360 degree videos to view to give a taste of the experience to come.

Two of the videos are filmed from the Mardi Gras where a 360 camera has filmed with the parade itself and specifically the SBS Float.

Perhaps more importantly and a sign of the “DVD Extras” style approach that VR can add to a production the first dedicated VR project complimenting an on-air broadcast is an exclusive 360 degree tour behind the scenes of the Fat Duck restaurant by Heston Blumenthal.

This tour follows the television premiere of the documentary series “Inside Heston’s World” which launched last night on SBS TV.

With 250,000 people registering to dine at the restaurant, but just 14,000 seats available – there’s a guaranteed 236,000 curious individuals who’ll no doubt enjoy the look behind the scenes.

SBS Director of Television and Online Content, Marshall Heald, said: “VR and 360° video technology represents the new frontier of storytelling – a truly powerful new medium offering audiences unique immersive experiences to give them greater insights and understanding, with distinctive stories that explore our diverse and multicultural world.”

There are plans for more and more content of course, with a second season documentary of “Until Australia” to be released as a VR series on the app, as well as opportunities in the SBS newsroom and other content offerings across the year and beyond.

This is not a drill, I repeat, this is not a drill.  And its no April Fool either.  SBS On Demand VR is free, and available now on both iOS and Android – for more info visit sbs.com.au/vr