Disney poised to make virtual reality history at the 2016 Radio Disney Music Awards

By Keith Nelson Jr. Published April 28, 2016

Ask An Expert: Is VR Safe For Kids — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Virtual reality is not killing the television star, but it sure is bringing them a lot closer to fans. Today, Radio Disney announced it has partnered with virtual reality company IM360 to live-stream the red carpet of the 2016 Radio Disney Music Awards in virtual reality before its live broadcast.

The 2016 Radio Disney Music Awards is set to air on the Disney Channel at 7 p.m. EST on Sunday. The show will be filmed Saturday at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Fans who can not wait until Sunday to see what Sabrina Carpenter will wear on the red carpet will be able to live-stream it in 360-degree VR on the Radio Disney YouTube channel and website. The VR content will be viewable on tablets, computers, and mobile devices.

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While you watch the brightest teen stars strut around the red carpet, you’ll also be watching history. The live-stream of the red carpet in VR prior to the TV broadcast is a first for award shows. IM360 also handled the VR streaming of the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards, the first awards show red carpet to be simultaneously broadcast in VR and TV.

This is not IM360’s first collaboration with Disney, as the VR company worked with Disney-affiliate ABC’s Good Morning America for its GMA on Safari: Tanzania. That was the first network television program to be simultaneously broadcast in VR. The home of Mickey Mouse also recently signed a deal with Nokia to use its OZO virtual reality camera and software for future Disney films, so award show red carpets may be the proverbial toe in the VR waters before the deep dive.

Radio Disney personalities Brooke Taylor and Alex Aiono will host the VR red carpet. The VR stream of the 2016 Radio Disney Music Awards’ red carpet will air from 4 to 6 p.m. EST.

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Keith Nelson Jr.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Keith Nelson Jr is a music/tech journalist making big pictures by connecting dots. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY he…

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