For the first time in eight years, Fox put out a national broadcast of the final game of the MLS season, and for the 2016 MLS Cup, the network decided to move beyond normal television. The 2016 MLS Cup was broadcast in virtual reality, with Fox subscribers being able to get a 360-degree experience if they had a virtual reality headset or a headset that connects to one's smartphone.
This year's MLS finals was a contest between the Toronto Football Club and the Seattle Sounders. It was Toronto's first appearance in the cup. Since Toronto is a relatively large media market and the Sounders are one of the most popular teams in the MLS, it made sense for Fox to pick this year to offer up a VR broadcast.
What's Driving This Trend
- Virtual Reality Broadcasting
- Opportunity to revolutionize the broadcasting industry by offering immersive 360-degree experiences to viewers.
- Sports VR Experiences
- Opportunity to enhance the fan experience by providing virtual reality broadcasts of major sporting events.
- VR Headset Technology
- Opportunity for innovation in the development of more advanced and accessible virtual reality headset technology.
Who This Affects Most
- Broadcasting
- Disruptive potential for broadcasters to adopt virtual reality technology and provide immersive experiences to their viewers.
- Sports Entertainment
- Opportunity to engage fans and attract new audiences by offering virtual reality experiences for major sporting events.
- Technology
- Opportunity for technology companies to innovate and improve virtual reality headset technology for enhanced user experiences.
