NBA to push on-demand VR content to international markets

With just over two months of experience under its belt, the NBA is ready to expand its efforts in virtual reality to international audiences. As part of its multi-year partnership with NextVR, the NBA has been broadcasting one live NBA game per week and delivering video-on-demand games and highlights in VR this season to Samsung Gear VR users in the US. Now the league and NextVR are offering some of that on-demand content to VR consumers in all international markets, excluding China.

In addition, the potential audience has grown even further as NextVR made a big move to open 2017 by expanding its content and services to the Google Daydream platform. Now fans with either a Daydream or a Samsung Gear VR can download the free NextVR app to access the NBA’s channel.

Virtual reality content on Daydream is currently available in the U.S., Canada, UK, Germany and Australia.

According to an official release from NextVR, the move to expand to Google Daydream, “will provide more fans around the globe with breakthrough and immersive experiences through premium events in virtual reality they may never have the opportunity to attend in person.”

CORRECTION: In a previous version of this story, it was incorrectly stated that the NBA would be providing live virtual reality content to international markets. Only on-demand content will be available to users outside the United States, not any live games.