ABC-Australia adopts 360 Degrees and Virtual Reality

To celebrate it’s 70th year of rural reporting, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation has created its first immersive virtual reality experience “Warwick Gold: Australian rodeo”, taking audiences backstage to Australia’s most famous rodeo at Warwick in regional Queensland. It was a five-minute experience in 360 video and VR.

Warwick Gold follows champion saddle bronc rider and cattle farmer Michael Maher as he prepares to compete in the Warwick Gold Cup Campdraft and Rodeo.

ABC Regional Director Fiona Reynolds said that the national broadcaster has been a part of regional communities, sharing their stories, from the beginning.

The story was filmed by ABC Regional, in collaboration with the ABC’s Research and Development team and with support from VR production company Pixelcase, to explore the potential of the immersive platform.

ABC Digital Network Director Angela Clark said the ABC is committed to exploring new storytelling methods in a media landscape increasingly shaped by the rapid take-up of technology.