CNN has officially launched its VR department called CNNVR, an immersive journalism unit and virtual reality platform within CNN Digital.

The new department is led by Jason Farkas who is heading a dedicated team while training VR producers in more than a dozen bureaus around the world including New York, London, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Dubai, Johannesburg, Tokyo, and Beijing.
The team will cover major news events in 360 video, VR live streams, and produce weekly virtual reality experiences – the first of which is a journey into the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain.

The new platform is accessible on:

• Mobile through CNN’s iOS and Android, which now allow 360 video
• Desktop
• VR headsets such as Samsung GearVR, Oculus Rift and Google Daydream

While the department is officially launching now, it has already worked on more than 50 news stories in high-quality 360 video generating more than 30 million views of 360 content on Facebook alone including a campaign for Abu Dhabi Tourism.