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Virtual Reality (VR) Future of TV NBC

NBC News created a social virtual reality experience, 'Virtual Democracy Plaza'

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By Haley Velasco, Freelance journalist

November 5, 2016 | 2 min read

NBC News has recreated Rockefeller Center Plaza in virtual reality thanks to AltspaceVR. Viewers will be able to visit the plaza from all over the world. NBC News is the first broadcast network to invest in a series of live events to cover the election for an audience inside of virtual reality and it’s a platform that allows users to engage directly with talent.

Natan Edelsburg, Executive Editor of The Drum's The Found Remote, tries the VR experience

Natan Edelsburg, Executive Editor of The Drum's The Found Remote, tries the VR experience

NBC News has also created programming for Virtual Democracy Plaza, including debate watch parties, live Q&A discussions with political experts, political comedy events and more.

AltspaceVR uses an app for interacting with others through virtual reality to create the Democracy Plaza experience. AltspaceVR’s FrontRow technology allows an unlimited number of participants to join a VR event simultaneously.

“This partnership with NBC is a great example of how social virtual reality allows people from around the world to come together for a shared experience,” said Eric Romo, CEO of AltspaceVR in a statement.

On Nov. 8, NBC News will be covering the election results with “Election Night on Democracy Plaza” starting at 6 p.m. ET.

For the full VR experience, visitors can use Oculus Rift CV1, HTC Vive or Samsung Gear VR. For the 2D experience, users can join using a PC or Mac.

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Virtual Reality (VR) Future of TV NBC

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