Comcast/NBCUniversal is launching an NBC Olympics VR by Xfinity app that will feature more than 150 hours of live and on demand interactive virtual reality coverage of the Beijing Olympic Games
The app promises 8K video resolution and will let viewers can also host a virtual Olympics watch party with up to three friends in a virtual suite. The app is available now to download from the Meta Quest 2 app store.
“We strive to create innovative viewing experiences so immersive it rivals being at the Winter Olympics live,” said Sophia Ahmad, executive vice president of Xfinity Consumer Services, in a statement. “Our robust network makes it possible for Xfinity customers to get closer to the action than ever before, experiencing for the first-time ever, the Games in 8K VR.”
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All pay TV customers in the U.S. can authenticate with their TV Everywhere credentials and get access to coverage including:
• Live and on-demand coverage of figure skating, hockey, snowboarding and other sports in a 180-degree environment with some events allowing viewers to switch between different camera angles
• Live and on-demand coverage of the Opening Ceremony, where viewers will have an “athlete-level view” of the event
• Features and highlights from 10 additional sports including alpine skiing, bobsled and speed skating
• Live and on-demand coverage of the Closing Ceremony
• Pre-Games features leading up to the Opening Ceremony
The VR app will accompany Comcast’s wider streaming coverage of the Winter Olympics including more than 2,800 hours of live and on-demand access through Peacock’s Premium tier, which is offered at no additional cost to Comcast’s entertainment customers in the U.S.
“We’re making it easy for fans across the country to find their favorite Winter Olympics events and witness the incredible stories of Team USA and athletes across the world," said Rebecca Heap, senior vice president of consumer products and propositions at Comcast Cable, in a statement. “Making this experience possible is our global technology platform which enables us to streamline innovation across our growing portfolio of entertainment devices, connecting millions of customers to the amazing moments and experiences only the Olympics can deliver."
NBCUniversal has also partnered with Amazon Fire TV and Charter Spectrum to build a dedicated content hubs for the Games.