Fox All In On Drones, Comprehensive VR At U.S. Open

A couple of exciting developments from Fox Sports for those hoping to see the golf tournament coverage bar raised, as the Sahil Patel reports for Digiday (h/t Awful Announcing) that drones are a big priority at the network hosting U.S. Open coverage.

Patel writes:

For instance, it’s trying to marry drone footage with augmented reality, which Fox Sports has previously used to create features such as the glowing puck in hockey and the yellow line for football. With drones, it wants to develop features such as “visualized wind” for golf.

It all falls under the Fox Sports Lab label, which is the umbrella term for all of the different experiments Fox Sports is doing with emerging technology. Its work with NextVR to develop virtual reality experiences falls under this banner. So does its golf range finder, which required five different technology companies working together to create.

“You spend a lot of money for the right to broadcast certain things,” said Davies. “To be able to differentiate yourself by showing people something new or different from what they’re normally used to, it’s worth the investment for us.”

And on the VR front, where the PGA Tour and Masters have shown a strong interest, Next VR will be assisting Fox's coverage for Samsung users with all of the right gear. Fox is taking things up several levels with roving coverage, a first in golf (I'm almost positive).

NextVR’s multi-camera broadcast of the tournament includes live four-hole multi-camera coverage and provides immersive views of the tee boxes and greens at Holes 9, 17 and 18, in addition to roving coverage between neighboring Holes 10 and 12. The broadcast also includes a video on demand lineup featuring a narrated behind the scenes look at Oakmont Country Club, live look-ins at Oakmont’s driving range, golf tips and features on each hole.

NextVR and FOX Sports – through its FOX Sports Lab initiative – will deliver live and expanded virtual reality offerings from the 116th U.S. Open Championship, airing June 16-19, 2016.