CNN announced today that it will be partnering with NextVR, a company that creates immersive VR entertainment content, to livestream the Democratic presidential debate in virtual reality.
According to a press release issued by the news network, the project comes in the wake of the Ronald Reagan Library Debate — i.e., the most recent Republican debate between the contenders for the GOP presidential candidate — which, as per CNN's post, topped the ratings for any CNN event in history (23 million people tuned in for traditional television and 4.5 million via livestream).
In light of this, CNN and NextVR are giving at-home viewers a front row seat via Samsung GearVR (more specifically, a VR headset), available at the Oculus Store for purchase — and for Hillary and Bernie fans alike to get an all-immersive glimpse of their political champions.
As for the reason why CNN is so deadset on the VR frontier?
"From radio broadcasting to televising to today, virtual reality allows viewers the opportunity to experience these historic political events through their own lens. Users are able to hold a gaze on a particular candidate, catch off-screen interactions and more. Each and every viewer has a seat in the room and a new perspective on presidential debates."
The Democratic presidential debate will aire on CNN on Oct. 13.
Via: CNN
Photo: Keith Kissel | Flickr
