Sportsnet to Produce NHL’s First Live 360 VR Experiences

Live 360 VR will be available for six consecutive Saturdays beginning Feb. 18

Sportsnet is bringing the next big thing in sports innovation to Canada’s hockey-loving fans with the launch of live 360 Virtual Reality (VR), with the sponsorship support of Molson Canadian.  This marks the first time 360 VR will be used in NHL broadcasts, bringing fans a virtual front-row seat inside hockey arenas around Canada.

For six consecutive Saturday night hockey broadcasts, fans will be able to watch the games live in 360 VR on Sportsnet.ca and the Sportsnet app by using special virtual reality viewfinders. These viewfinders are currently available exclusively in select cases of Molson Canadian across Canada.  Three different 360 VR cameras will be used during the games, allowing viewers to experience the live action on the ice and take in the arena’s lively atmosphere. Adding to the immersive experience, fans can also watch behind-the-scenes footage from select NHL teams and on-demand highlight videos – all in 360 VR. 

“Molson Canadian is known for bringing epic hockey experiences to the people who love our beer, and we understand that hockey fans across the country may never a get a chance to sit front row during a Saturday night game.  So now we are bringing the front row to you, live during some key hockey match-ups as we enter the playoff stretch of this season,” says Duncan Fraser, Marketing Manager, Molson Canadian. “We’re so excited to bring the latest in Virtual Reality technology to hockey lovers from coast to coast in a way that only a partnership like Molson Canadian, Sportsnet and the NHL can.  We’re creating an experience for Canadians to celebrate their love of the game like never before.”

“We are continually pushing innovation at Sportsnet to give sports fans the best and most immersive experience,” said Rob Corte, Vice President of Production, Sportsnet. “Together with Molson, we are at the forefront of another ‘first’ for hockey fans, and are excited to bring them this unique viewing experience.”

The live 360 VR experience will be available for the following Sportsnet games:

• Calgary Flames @ Vancouver Canucks – Saturday, Feb. 18
• Montreal Canadiens @ Toronto Maple Leafs – Saturday, Feb. 25
• Detroit Red Wings @ Edmonton Oilers – Saturday, March 4
• Calgary Flames @ Winnipeg Jets – Saturday, March 11
• Chicago Blackhawks @ Toronto Maple Leafs – Saturday, March 18
• Ottawa Senators @ Montreal Canadiens – Saturday, March 25

Canadians of legal drinking age will get their own virtual reality kit when they purchase specially marked cases of Molson Canadian, available nationally while quantities last, at participating local retailers (retailers vary per region across the country.) The kit includes a VR headset and unique pin code to access all the VR content, and instructions to download the VR compatible mobile Sportsnet app available on the App Store and Google Play.