ESPN’s Dunk the Halls Real-Time Animated NBA Game Set to Return for Christmas Day
The altcast will utilize Sony’s Beyond Sports real-time visualization and Hawk-Eye Innovations optical tracking.
Story Highlights
Disney, ESPN, and the NBA are teaming up once again to present Dunk the Halls on Christmas Day – the second annual real-time, animated NBA game using Sony’s Beyond Sports technology. The animated alternate presentation of the New York Knicks hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers will tip-off at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN2, Disney+, Disney Channel, Disney XD and the new ESPN App via ESPN DTC or pay TV authentication, with the traditional telecast available on ABC, ESPN, Disney+ and the ESPN App.
After debuting the Dunk the Halls format last Christmas, the virtual, live re-creation will return to “Main Street, U.S.A.” in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto and Chip and Dale will return to cheer from the sidelines – joined for the first time by Stitch, who makes his Dunk the Halls debut as this year’s breakout star. From his playful antics on the sidelines to leading the new halftime Christmas Parade, the mischievous alien’s energy will drive the fun throughout the broadcast.
Shots of “Main Street, U.S.A.” and iconic landmarks like Cinderella’s Castle will appear throughout, transformed with festive décor, snowfall, and a few Stitch-inspired surprises.
Each player will appear as a motion-tracked animated version of themselves, captured live through Sony’s Beyond Sports real-time visualization and Hawk-Eye Innovations optical tracking. Viewers will see every dunk, layup and pass from the actual game at Madison Square Garden as it happens.
Production highlights include Stitch headlining the action with his first-ever Dunk the Halls appearance, starring in a brand-new animated Christmas Parade down Main Street during halftime. The competition will feature floats from Mickey & Minnie, Donald & Daisy, Goofy & Pluto, and “Experiment 626” Stitch all vying for the title of “Best Christmas Parade Float.” Daisy Duck returns for her reporting duties with a special sideline interview with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Santa’s elves return as camera operators, with Santa piloting ESPN’s “SkyCam.”
Returning to the Dunk the Halls broadcast booth for the second straight year, Drew Carter will once again serve as play-by-play commentator alongside ESPN basketball analyst Monica McNutt. The duo will be joined by returning sideline reporter Daisy Duck. Carter and McNutt will again be animated in the style of the telecast and don ESPN Edge Innovation Partner’s Meta Quest Pro headsets to experience the game from “Main Street, U.S.A..” thanks to VR technology and Sony’s Beyond Sports’ Virtual Commentator Technology.
