After live-streaming a pair of 360-virtual-reality feeds from the MTV Video Music Awards red carpet last year, Viacom Media Network's Music and Entertainment Group opted to go another route for the 2016 VMAs on Sunday. Rather than going live, the MTV production team deployed four 360-VR cameras inside Madison Square Garden during the show and will produce a full VOD product for digital outlets in the coming weeks.
Click here for a look at Viacom/MTV's massive production of the 2016 VMAs.
This year, we have evaluated, and, at this time, we believe it's better to have multiple cameras for a fully edited 360-VR package than to go live, says Jeff Jacobs, SVP, production planning, strategies, and operations, Viacom Media Networks Music and Entertainment Group. We believe we can tell a better story with four cameras taking the VR-viewing audience where they need to be at that time they need to be there; rather than with a single live VR camera.
Last year, Jacobs and company deployed a pair of 360-VR camera rigs on the VMA red carpet: one at the step-and-repeat and another farther down the red-carpet area. MTV also provided VOD 360-VR content of the VMAs themselves after the event. In addition, Viacom deployed several VR cameras that were for R&D and were not part of the live-streaming production.
When it gets to the point when we can effectively cut and integrate a high-quality feed with four 360-VR cameras plus graphics and effects, then we will really have something to enhance the viewer's viewing experience with, says Jacobs. We are working on it, but it's not quite there yet.
MTV experimented with the GoPro Odyssey VR rig, which can capture 8K/30 video and is capable of 3D/360 VR.
The 360-VR production's four camera rigs were deployed with one on each side of the stage itself, on top of a jib, and on a Steadicam. The camera models varied and included the brand-new GoPro OMNI, which will alleviate many producer concerns, including overheating, thanks to its external-power-source capability and the need to turn power on to six individual cameras following a sync test. MTV was also experimenting with the GoPro Odyssey VR rig, which features 16 HERO4 Black cameras in an all-in-one rig capable of capturing 8K/30 video and capable of 3D/360 VR.
After the show, the production team, led by producers Jana Blumenthal and Miguel Rojas, ingested content from the four cards into MTV's VR edit suites at its Times Square production facility. The content is stitched together to create raw footage and will be edited together to create a complete storyline.
We edit it based on where the best story can be told for the viewer, says Jacobs. [When editing], we have to point [the viewer] in the right direction for every scene. It's not just multicam editing with four cameras; when we jump you to a new angle, we have to point you where we want you to look and then let you tell your own story from there. Otherwise, you might be looking at the audience or black space and not understand the story that is being told.
He notes that MTV and all of Viacom continue to experiment with the use of graphics and virtual pointers to help guide the viewer to the best action within the scene, as the West Coast-based Spike Digital team did for a Bellator 360 VOD product delivered earlier this year.
We've learned a lot, and we're still learning, says Jacobs. It's a fascinating and challenging editing process, but I'm excited about what we can do in VR; it's really adding to the fan experience.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
06/05/2026
Polands Miecznik-class frigates are part of the largest contract in Polish shipbuilding history. (Image Credit: PGZ Stocznia Wojenna)...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Riedel Communications today announced the expansion of its leadership structure as part of a strategic initiative to strengthen both its operational management ...
06/05/2026
For nearly three decades, Veteran Production Sound Mixer and Five-time Emmy Award Winner Dirk Sciarrotta has helped define the sonic identity of the long-runnin...
06/05/2026
ZEISS CinCraft LensCore: Cinema Lens Looks for Compositing
Brie Clayton May 6, 2026
0 Comments
ZEISS announces the launch of CinCraft LensCore, a nove...
06/05/2026
Wisycom Solves Extreme RF Challenges Across Miles of Live Action for Gravity Med...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Narrative Entertainment has partnered with Encompass to deliver high-quality subtitling of its Great! network content using the Altitude Intelligence AI assiste...
06/05/2026
SipRadius, widely recognized for making content processing and connectivity secure and seamless, is proud to launch a dramatic new approach to AI content creati...
06/05/2026
When the broadband and media industry gathers at ANGA COM in Cologne from May 19 to 21, Big Blue Marble will be at the forefront. The international broadcast an...
06/05/2026
Cinegy GmbH, a leading developer of software-defined television technology, is proud to exhibit at MPTS for the first time. Visitors to the stand will discover ...
06/05/2026
Val Jeanty Receives 2026 Doris Duke Artist Award Jeanty, a composer, percussionist, and turntablist, is the fourth Berklee recipient of the prestigious award ...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
When live cycling races and international marathons stretch for miles across cities and countryside, there is no margin for RF failure in live broadcast. As Chi...
06/05/2026
Oberkochen/Germany, May 5, 2026
ZEISS announces the launch of CinCraft LensCore, a novel solution for creating physically based cinematic lens looks for visual...
06/05/2026
SAN JOSE, Calif. - May 6, 2026 - Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced its latest broadband innovations for ANGA COM 2026, highlighting its vision for a new e...
06/05/2026
Statement from Rupert Murdoch, Chairman Emeritus, Fox Corporation on Ted Turner&...
06/05/2026
Friday 8 May on RT One and RT Player
Meet the NSPCA team caring for and protecting animals in need in this six-part series
Fly on the wall, six-part series...
06/05/2026
The race to build the world's most powerful AI factories demands networking ...
06/05/2026
How changes to proteins can alter drug interactions for new precision therapies Scripps Research team maps how chemical modifications to proteins affect drug bi...
05/05/2026
Experts from the world of academia, tech, business, politics and media convened for a Thomson Talks at the Cambridge Disinformation Summit in April. It's th...
05/05/2026
Three phones were hardwired for power and transmission to the truck; camera feat...
05/05/2026
The creative studio behind campaigns for the NBA, Fanatics Sportsbook & Casino, ...
05/05/2026
Nielsen has announced results from a co-viewing pilot program covering February&...
05/05/2026
viztrick AiDi, an on-device AI solution developed by Nippon TV, delivered global...
05/05/2026
ARRI has announced Omnibar, a battery-powered, IP65-rated multi-color LED linear...
05/05/2026
Imagine Communications has announced that France T l visions is the first broadc...
05/05/2026
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Bell Media today announced a multiyear agreement to broadcast and stream WNBA games in Canada beginni...
05/05/2026
SVG is proud to announce Warner Bros. Discovery's Techwood Studios in Atlant...
05/05/2026
With no operator required, AutoMic workflow automates talent identification on U...
05/05/2026
A crash in 2015 set the industry back, but this winter proved that drones are he...
05/05/2026
Another year, and more proof that Asia continues to shape some of the world's most exciting new sounds. This year's RADAR artists draw from deep local r...
05/05/2026
The Austin City Limits Music Fest 2026 lineup just dropped, and this year, Spoti...
05/05/2026
New drum machine book campaign incoming
Bjooks have announced that during Superbooth 2026, they will be launching a Kickstarter campaign to fund the product...
05/05/2026
Flagship all-in-one production bundle updated
The latest version of Native Instruments' flagship virtual instrument and plug-in bundle has just been ann...
05/05/2026
Rohde & Schwarz to host RF Testing Innovations Forum 2026, helping design engine...
05/05/2026
L3Harris provides communications, electronic warfare, sensors and mission systems that enable Virginia-class submarine crews to operate with confidence in conte...
05/05/2026
The company grew by 7.6% in net revenue and 16.3% in EBITDA, achieving a 33% inc...
05/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
05/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
05/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
After live-streaming a pair of 360-virtual-reality feeds from the MTV Video Music Awards red carpet last year, Viacom Media Network's Music and Entertainment Group opted to go another route for the 2016 VMAs on Sunday. Rather than going live, the MTV production team deployed four 360-VR cameras inside Madison Square Garden during the show and will produce a full VOD product for digital outlets in the coming weeks.
