Virtual-venue creator Cosm brings fans to the field with an NFL broadcast deal
Watching the grand-slam walk-off… from the digital dugout. Immersive-tech company Cosm announced a deal yesterday with the NFL to air the biggest nights of football. Cosm broadcasts “shared reality” live sports events on a 360-degree LED dome that mimics prime seating (think: sideline or end zone). With the NFL deal, Cosm can produce and air Thursday, Sunday, and Monday Night Football for the rest of this season. This summer Cosm opened locations in LA and Dallas. In the next five years, it hopes to open more venues and expand internationally.
Full roster: Cosm’s scored broadcast deals for the NBA, MLB, NHL, and both US national soccer teams. In January it signed a deal with NBC to bring Premier League soccer, horse racing, and Big Ten football to its venues.
All in on immersive… VR headsets have not gone mainstream, but immersive IRL experiences are gaining traction. Las Vegas’ Sphere, the concert venue that displays skyline-sized ads, has made headlines for stunts like a 366-foot chicken Big Mac. The inside is an immersive wraparound high-def LED screen to complement concerts and sporting events. Last month, the Sphere hosted the highest-grossing UFC event, earning $22M in ticket sales from a sold-out crowd. Now Sphere Entertainment, the biz behind the venue, plans to open a second location, in Abu Dhabi.
Seein’ is believin’… With live entertainment prices at record highs, immersive-screen experiences like the Sphere’s U2 concert film and Cosm’s sports showings can offer an appealing alternative to shelling out for floor seats. Cosm said its broadcast of Game 1 of the World Series sold out in seven minutes.