IM360 Partners with ABC’s “Good Morning America” for First Network Television Program Broadcast Live in 360°
02.25.16
Leader in immersive content collaborates with America’s favorite morning show
to bring a virtual reality adventure to audiences around the world
Hong Kong– Feb. 25, 2016 – IM360, a Digital Domain Company (www.im360.com) and the leader in immersive and interactive content solutions, has partnered with ABC’s “Good Morning America”, to unveil “GMA ON SAFARI”, the first network television event to be simultaneously broadcasted live in 360°. The segment will bring virtual reality programing to a global audience via live network broadcasts, with online access provided through websites and apps. Filmed in Crater Highlands in Tanzania, Africa, viewers of this immersive experience will travel off-road to get a stunning first-person view of the landscapes and wildlife that make the Ngorongoro region one of the world’s most rugged terrains. “GMA ON SAFARI” will be broadcasted live on ABC from 7:00-9:00am Eastern on Tuesday, February 23, 2016, as “Good Morning America” news anchor Amy Robach reports from Africa on the encroaching threat of poachers to the continent’s majestic animals.
This first-ever live VR experience is powered by patented technology from IM360, including 360° cameras, virtual reality production software that captures, stitches and processes live content in real-time, and it’s all supported with custom-built backend and distribution platform.
“Partnering with an industry leader such as GMA on this first-ever live network 360° experience reinforces the strength of our technology, and our vision for the future of news and entertainment,” said Richard Ngo-Tran, Vice President of Marketing for IM360. “We’re thrilled to share our proprietary live 360° technology on a national platform to showcase these capabilities will help push virtual reality further into the mainstream.”
Viewers will be treated to never-before-seen virtual reality and drone content filmed in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and neighboring Serengeti National Park, a safari mecca populated by the biggest of big game: lions, leopards, buffalo, rhinos and elephants.
How To Experience the 360° VR Safari on All Devices
- For desktops, visit com/VRfor an immersive 360° safari experience
- For mobile devices, experience the VR safari using the IM360 app:
- Open the app and select “GMA on Safari” to launch the 360° Use your finger or move your device around to control your own adventure
- For a more immersive experience, you can use Google Cardboard with your smartphone by switching to Cardboard mode on the IM360 app, or if you have a Samsung GearVR, you can view the experience on the Oculus store under IM360
Follow the story on social media using hashtag #GMAinAfrica on Twitter and Facebook.
View “GMA ON SAFARI” and learn more at GoodMorningAmerica.com or visit IM360.com.
About Digital Domain
Digital Domain Holdings Limited (“Digital Domain” (http://www.ddhl.com), HKEx stock code: 547) is a diversified investment holding company with its operating and investment businesses spanning Hong Kong, the United States, Canada, Mainland China and other countries, encompassing such businesses as media, entertainment, visual effects production, co-production of movies, property investment, trading, etc. In July 2013, the Group acquired Digital Domain 3.0 Group comprising Digital Domain 3.0, Inc., Digital Domain Productions 3.0 (BC), Ltd. and Mothership Media, Inc. Digital Domain 3.0 Group has a history of about 20 years and has manifested itself as the leading digital production company. As one of the biggest VFX service providers in the US media industry, it is mainly engaged in the production of VFX, animations and movies.
About IM360
IM360 is the foremost provider of immersive and interactive content solutions. Combining the creative genius of Digital Domain, the parent company of the Academy Award®-winning Hollywood digital production studio Digital Domain 3.0 Group (https://digitaldomain.com), and the power of Immersive Media (http://www.immersivemedia.com), the leading provider of patented 360° immersive technology, IM360 is pioneering immersive video and virtual reality programming. From cinematic VR and 360° video, advanced VFX and virtual humans, live VR broadcasts and immersive experiences to digital platforms and distribution, IM360 delivers what creative minds can imagine. IM360 is a Digital Domain company.
About ABC News
More people get their news from ABC News than from any other source. ABC News is responsible for all of the ABC Television Network’s news programming on a variety of platforms: television, radio, and the Internet. ABC News reaches a combined audience of well over 270 million people a month on television, on radio and online. Over 1,000 affiliate stations broadcast ABC News Radio’s global news coverage. NewsOne, the affiliate news service of ABC News, provides live and packaged news, sports, and weather reports, as well as footage of news events, to 200 ABC affiliates and more than 30 domestic and international clients.