NBC Offers Virtual Kentucky Derby Experience
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
NBC Sports' coverage of the 142nd Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) will include a plunge into virtual reality.
From the paddock to the track and finishing in the winner's circle, seven virtual reality cameras set up around Churchill Downs will capture the drama and pageantry of racing beginning two races prior to the Kentucky Derby—the Pat Day Mile Stakes (gr. III) and the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr. IT). The virtual reality presentation will begin at 4 p.m. ET and will be available free through the NBC channel on the NextVR portal. Samsung Gear VR owners can download the NextVR app on any Gear VR headset compatible phones.
Instructions on how to view the virtual reality presentation.
"We are excited to bring the pageantry and passion experienced annually by those at the Kentucky Derby even closer to viewers at home with the new medium of live virtual reality," said Rob Hyland, coordinating producer of NBC Sports Group's Triple Crown horse racing coverage.
The audio feed will include the race call from NBC's Larry Collmus, who called American Pharoah 's historic Triple Crown victories last year, as well as commentary from NBC announcers Tom Hammond, Jerry Bailey, and Randy Moss.
"We're going to wire our viewers directly into one of the most exciting, spectacular experiences in sports," said Dave Cole, NextVR co-founder. "This is a show not to miss."
The 2015 Kentucky Derby was the most-watched program on television last May, averaging 16 million viewers.