Virtual reality has a new sports partnership, as World Wresting Entertainment (WWE) has announced that for the first time it is releasing content to Samsung’s Milk VR premium virtual reality content service on Samsung Gear VR Innovator Edition powered by Oculus. The partnership, announced on the WWE website, is a major opportunity for both Samsung and WWE.
According to WWE, fans will be able to watch two virtual reality videos from the SummerSlam event that took place in August in New York City. Accessing the videos will occur via the WWE 360 channel on Samsung Milk VR.
The first video of the series provides viewers with 360 degree virtual reality highlights from the weekend, including fan clips, NXT TakeOver moments, the match between John Cena and Seth Rollins, and host Jon Stewart. The second video shows viewers the match between Finn Balor and Kevin Owens at NXT TakeOver.
For the WWE, the virtual reality viewing experience is an experiment that ushers in a great deal of excitement. Michelle Wilson, WWE Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer, believes that the WWE is,”excited to bring our fans closer to the action through an immersive 360-degree viewing experience on Samsung Milk VR.” Michelle also expresses that the WWE will, “strive to deliver innovative ways for our fans to engage and this is our first step in bringing virtual reality content to the WWE Universe.”
The partnership not only provides the WWE with a new opportunity to engage its fans, it also gives Samsung a new channel to promote its virtual reality platform. Matt Apfel, vice president of strategy and creative content at Samsung Media Solutions Center America, expressed on the WWE press release that, “Premium 360-degree VR content is giving fans presence and proximity to some of their favorite action and sports moments such as WWE’s SummerSlam.” Apfel is also, “thrilled to see leading brands like WWE entering into VR, bringing fans a 360 experience close to the action.”
The press release mentioned some other insightful quotes regarding the partnership. Apfel believes that the, “WWE was an especially good fit for Samsung’s VR content push.” “Not only do the companies’ target audiences intersect, but WWE’s content provides both “proximity and polish.”
The WWE is the latest North American professional sports league to announce the production of virtual reality content after the NBA and NFL. Should the content be successful and boost viewership through virtual reality, the WWE could look into live streaming of their pay-per-view events such as the famous WrestleMania main event. The last WrestleMania, WrestleMania 31, was watched by more than 1.3 million global households on the WWE network and grossed $12.6 million.