The first version of the app, available for anyone to download for free, showcases a range of 360 videos from Sky and their partners.

Some transport viewers inside popular films, such as Suicide Squad and The Martian, while others invite viewers behind the scenes of iconic sports events such as Formula One and the Tour De France. A Sky News documentary titled Calais: The Jungle, will take viewers to the centre of the refugee crisis.

Sky has also announced two new virtual reality experiences which will become available via the app in the future.

One, titled Sky Sports: Closer, is a tour of the world’s best sports events led by David Beckham. Another is an immersive dance piece co-created by the English National Ballet, in tandem with their new production Giselle.

Future commissions include innovative news and documentary coverage, including reports from the upcoming US Elections and a historical piece titled: Tutankhamun’s Tomb –The Search for Nefertiti.

Sky will be constantly updating the app over the coming months, introducing more immersive VR features to improve the experience.

Sky has not said whether viewers will have to pay to access these more advanced features in the future.

The new content is produced at Sky’s dedicated 360-degree production house, Sky VR Studios, launched earlier this year. Sky is one of the first large media companies to invest in high-quality VR content for its platforms.

The Sky VR app can be downloaded on Google Play or the App Store, and virtual reality videos can be viewed with a Google Cardboard headset, Samsung Gear VR and Oculus Rift headset.

From October 20 Sky will be giving out thousands of free Google Cardboard headsets at Sky Backstage, a special bar for Sky Customers based at the 02, Greenwich.

Other highlights from the app:

Anthony Joshua: Becoming World Champion – see Anthony as you have never seen him before, as he becomes IBF world heavyweight champion

Disney – two VR experiences from The Jungle Book, enabling viewers to get up close and personal with King Louie and Kaa

Fox Innovation Lab – The Martian Sneak Peek – transports viewers to Mars to follow the film’s protagonist Mark Watney after he has been stranded on the planet

F1®  – Team Williams – lets fans go behind the scenes of the Williams team, in the pit lane and in car viewing

Baobab Studios – Invasion – a VR animation about a duo of aliens aiming to take over the world, but needing to overcome two fearsome white bunny rabbits

Jaunt – Paul McCartney: Dance Tonight - Paul takes viewers through the charming creation story of this song, and its music video

 

Download the app:

iOs:
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/sky-vr/id1147226832?ls=1&mt=8

Android: 
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bskyb.vr00&hl=en_GB