Live virtual reality hits the track for the first time this weekend, as NBC Sports Group has teamed up with NextVR at the Kentucky Derby to produce the first-ever live VR horse-racing experience. NBC is hopping aboard the VR bandwagon in style, as its first live VR production will feature a whopping seven camera positions - five on the track and two in the paddock - at Churchill Downs.
As we dip our toe into the virtual-reality realm, our thought process was where is the most iconic place that we can transport the user at home?' Churchill Downs is that place for us, says NBC Sports Group Director of Production Technology Matt Celli, who is also directing the VR feed. NBC Sports is really proud to have this be our first real foray into this world.
NBC Sports Group has partnered with NextVR to produce the VR experience at Churchill Downs, which will include the Derby and the two prior races, including the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic.
Live virtual reality makes its horse-racing debut this Saturday at Churchill Downs, when NBC Sports Group and NextVR produce the first-event Kentucky Derby live VR experience.
We believe NextVR is the leader in the live virtual-reality space, says Celli. We have worked with them on this project for the last six weeks to figure out everything from camera placement to encoding to graphics and the overall user experience.
The seven-camera complement is among the largest to date for a live VR production. The five NextVR camera rigs on the track, which each consist of a pair of RED 4K cameras, are positioned on the high side of the finish line, below the finish line (adjacent to the owners' suites), coming into turn one, going into turn two, coming out of turn two, and on the backstretch. Two additional rigs have been deployed in the paddock to showcase the horses before parading to the starting gate.
Geographically, the overall size of what we're trying to cover necessitated [this many cameras], says Celli. The track is over a mile around so we need all those camera positions to cover the entire track and tell the story for VR.
In addition to the seven camera angles, NBC will insert a virtual videoboard mimicking the giant video display at Churchill Downs into the VR experience that will feature the NBC live linear telecast. This videoboard display will also include NBC Sports Group-produced feature stories, statistics, race data, and updated betting odds.
With a footprint this large, we can't cut cameras the way that the linear broadcast does to tell the story, says Celli. So we are going to insert a virtual [videoboard] with the output of the [linear telecast] production from [producer] Rob Hyland and [director] Drew Esocoff. The viewer at home is used to having certain pieces of information and storytelling [elements] thrown their way. Even the user at a game can look up at the videoboard and see a replay or the score. That is how we are trying to serve this audience, as well.
The audio feed will include the race call from NBC's Larry Collmus, as well as commentary from NBC announcers Tom Hammond, Jerry Bailey, and Randy Moss.
NextVR, which is currently constructing a fleet of VR-specific mobile units, has deployed a flypack at Churchill Downs, which includes a 2 M/E switcher, 14 Sony CCU's controlling the seven camera rigs, an audio board, and their custom VR encoder kit.
When you bring in new technology like this into an amazing existing team led by Tim DeKime, John Roch , and Ken Goss, it's a lot to ask of them since these guys already have a monumental job ahead of them [producing the linear telecast], says Celli. But they have accepted this technology with open arms and it's made it great for all of us. We're extremely excited about the potential of VR here at the Derby.
The live virtual reality presentation of NBC's coverage of the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby will begin at 4 p.m. Eastern on Saturday, May 7. The virtual-reality presentation of the Kentucky Derby will be available free through the NBC channel on the NextVR portal. Samsung Gear VR owners can download the NextVR app on any Gear VR headset compatible phones. For detailed instructions, go to www.nextvr.com/gearvr-live.
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...
Live virtual reality hits the track for the first time this weekend, as NBC Sports Group has teamed up with NextVR at the Kentucky Derby to produce the first-ever live VR horse-racing experience. NBC is hopping aboard the VR bandwagon in style, as its first live VR production will feature a whopping seven camera positions - five on the track and two in the paddock - at Churchill Downs.
