Asia-Pacific Broadcasting (APB) November 2016 Volume 33, Issue 10 | Page 2

2 EDITORIAL Too early to dismiss VR for broadcast TV “Virtual reality was once the dream of science fiction. But the Internet was also once a dream, and so were computers and smartphones. The future is coming and we have a chance to build it together.” A forward-looking statement proffered by a virtual reality (VR) evangelist today? Hardly, this was penned by Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, in March 2014 when the social media platform announced the acquisition of Oculus VR, a technology company that designs and builds VR systems, including the Oculus Rift headset. So, has the VR future envisaged by Zuckerberg already arrived? According to Deloitte Global, VR will have its first billion-dollar year in 2016, while another research firm, TrendForce, places the total market value of VR hardware and software at US$70 billion by 2020. The footnote from Deloitte, however, is the expectation that the vast majority of commercial activities stemming from VR will focus on video games. Cue Sony, which has launched the PlayStation VR headset in a bid to create “the future of virtual reality gaming”. Clearly, the gaming industry will be one of the most attractive propositions for VR for the foreseeable future as gamers seek the ultimate immersive gaming experience. For TV viewers who were not too long ago presented with compelling arguments for 3DTV, will they truly embrace VR content? One keen advocate of VR TV content is Sky UK, which has built on the launch of Sky VR Studio — a dedicated in-house VR production unit — in March this year, with the launch of Sky VR, a new app that offers 360° video content from not only Sky, but also the likes of Disney, Fox Innovation Lab and Warner Brothers. VR can grow to be a companion to TV, but it is too early to predict if it will become mainstream in broadcast TV, suggested David Wood, who is currently acting as a consultant to the European Broadcasting Union’s Technology and Innovation department. He is also leading the DVB’s Study Mission Group on VR, which, like other emerging broadcast technol- Stay connected with ogies, is faced with a number of key issues, including standardisation, as Wood pointed out. There are also lessons to be learnt from the 3DTV experience. Some of the attributing factors for 3DTV’s success, or lack thereof, include eye fatigue, annoyance with wearing 3D glasses and the lack of appropriate content, he said. What, then, constitutes “appropriate content” in the context of VR? Perhaps unsurprisingly, Wood cited sports as a key driver for VR usage because “VR can bring to the viewer a sense of ‘being there”. However, he also rightly pointed out that studies have indicated that viewers are only likely, at present, to view VR content up to a 20-minute duration, before sensorial sickness potentially sets in. Possibly, the key differentiator between VR and, for instance, IP in broadcast is one of need and want. While many industry observers are advocating the transition to broadcast IP as a necessity, there is no empirical evidence to suggest that viewers definitively want VR content. While there may be a case to be built for VR sports content, the prospect of watching the latest news bulletin or TV drama in VR is arguably less appealing. This is not to suggest that VR for broadcast TV should be dismissed out-of-hand. As CheeK, Media­ corp’s chief content officer, told APB, VR technology can complement traditional broadcast by bringing a new level of audience engagement and interaction. Zuckerberg’s 2014 forecast could yet be pre­ scient — VR is likely to penetrate many aspects of life and industries, and could potentially be the next big disruptor for society. Whether this lofty position extends to the broadcast TV industry remains very much in the air. November 2016 (volume 33 issue 10) EDITORIAL managing editor Shawn Liew, [email protected] contributing editor Millette Manalo-Burgos, [email protected] contributing editor (technology) Karl K Rossiter, [email protected] reporter Josephine Tan CORRESPONDENTS ■ India Shirish Nadkarni, [email protected] ■ USA Mike Feazel, [email protected] PRODUCTION production editor Zuraini Ridzwan, [email protected] junior sub-editor Genevieve Chan, [email protected] senior multimedia designer Raymund Jaudian, [email protected] multimedia designer Waldomar Zuniga, [email protected] ad/office administrator Irene Lok, [email protected] accounts manager Tan Hui Min, [email protected] MARKETING director - sales & marketing Jessie Tan, [email protected] manager - sales & marketing Lynn Chee, [email protected] CIRCULATION & PROMOTIONS executive - circulation & promotions Jotham T Lim, [email protected] PUBLISHING publisher/editorial director Andrew Yeo, [email protected] MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ■ China Yang Ou BEIJING BUNCH EXHIBITION SERVICES LTD Room 501/B1, Thunis Development Building, No. 11 Huixin East Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100029 Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected] ■ Japan Mikio Tsuchiya WORLD MEDIA SERVICES INC 3-35-1-302, Hongodai, Sakae-Ku, Yokohama 247-0008 Tel/Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected] ■ USA & Canada Gary L Rhodes SEDOR MEDIA INC 775 Park Avenue, Suite 255, Huntington, NY 11743, USA Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected] TRAINING DigiWorkz Asia-Pac Training Centre E-mail: [email protected] www.digiworkz.org/wda_courses.html SHAWN LIEW MANAGING EDITOR APB PANELLISTS Find us on Facebook Asia-Pacific Broadcasting is published by: n www.facebook.com/APBnews Editec International Pte Ltd Get Twitter updates n www.twitter.com/APB_News Dr Amal Punchihewa Director, Technology & Innovation Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Angeline Poh Dr Peter Siebert Assistant CEO Executive Director (Content & Innovation The DVB Project Group), Info-communications Media Development Authority of Singapore 61 Tai Seng Avenue #05-01 Crescendas Print Media Hub Singapore 534167 Tel: [phone] www.apb-news.com Editec International Pte Ltd All rights reserved. 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