Everyone wants to get into the virtual reality game, including journalists.
RT, formerly Russia Today, has announced the launch of a new mobile app for 360-degree video news.
RT360 offers up panoramic video that puts audiences right in the centre of the story.
“The 360-degree video, virtual reality format opens up new horizons for journalists,” says Alina Mikhaleva, RT’s Director of Marketing. “It shifts the perspective for the first time in the history of storytelling.”
Mikhaleva continues: “Reporters and broadcasters can no longer simply tell the viewer which way to look by pointing the camera in their chosen direction. Now, we can bring the audience to the centre of the story.”
To coincide with the launch, RT has also unveiled its first-ever panoramic mini-documentary – Donbass 360: The Ravaged Heart of Europe.
The experience was shot using 360-degree drone camera technology, offering a bird’s eye view of the city of Donetsk, and its bombed-out airport.
“The virtual reality technology will hit the market in earnest next year,” adds Mikhaleva, “and we are very happy that RT is one of the world’s pioneers in producing news content in such an innovative format.”
RT is also releasing its panoramic videos on both YouTube and Facebook. Both services already support the 360-video format.
It’s worth noting that if you don’t already have a VR headset, there’ll be plenty on offer next year, including the HTC Vive, the Oculus Rift, and PlayStation VR.
