UPDATED AUGUST 2021: The current player version no longer supports 360° video.
Digital video solutions leader further expands extensive platform lineup with 360° video technology, only OVP with SDKs to empower publishers of any size to create VR video apps.
NEW YORK – October 12, 2016 – JW Player, the world’s most popular video player and leading digital and mobile video solutions company, today launched its comprehensive VR/360° video technology, bringing its publishers the most immersive storytelling tool aimed at moving viewers to the center of the action. More than 2 million global publishers currently use JW Player’s solutions to build audience and maximize monetization by delivering video fast to every device and screen.
This launch combines the new 360° capabilities of JW Player, the massive global scale of its platform, and the innovative technology to power the next stage of virtual reality viewing. JW Player is the only online video platform that leverages native mobile VR SDKs to empower publishers of any size to create branded VR video apps.
“JW Player has been a terrific partner in our early successes,” said The McClatchy Company’s Director of Video Product and Operations, Meghan Sims. “JW Player 360° video technology is an important piece in the evolution of video storytelling here at McClatchy. And it’s going to be a big part of some exciting things we have planned next year.”
The McClatchy Company operates 29 daily newspapers in 14 states and has an average weekday circulation of 1.6 million and Sunday circulation of 2.4 million.
In addition to the JW Player VR HTML5 plugin that plays 360° content on desktop and mobile web, the JW VR SDKs allow publishers of all sizes and types to stream 360° content through their own native apps, which provide smoother and more performant immersive experiences. The JW VR products will also support immersive live action VR experiences with popular headsets such as Samsung GearVR, Google Cardboard, and the upcoming Google Daydream View announced Oct. 4 and in stores November.
“The future is right here, right now for VR. We’ve designed easy to use tools to create an amazing immersive experience for our customers that will increase engagement and pull their audience into the next generation of storytelling,” said Chris Mahl, President and Chief Revenue Officer at JW Player. “The way we tell stories is changing and it means putting the viewer in the center of those stories – whether it’s watching news or documentaries, sports, concerts, or business applications like real estate tours, millions are using JW technology to change audience growth and economics in a positive way. Our global publishers are pioneering the way to leverage 360/VR and create new levels of engagement and content interaction.”
JW Player’s clients straddle the complete range of industry verticals such as news, entertainment, sports, education, training, music, and technology, spanning more than 193 countries. The company’s rapid growth as industry innovator comes as nearly all companies and brands turn increasingly toward online and mobile video as a strategic imperative.
“With our brand control and UX options and robust suite of monetization, audience discovery and analytics tools, JW Player is increasingly positioned as the industry standard for next-generation video,” added Mahl.
VR/360° video features include:
- 4K resolution
- Adaptive bitrate streaming
- Live Streams
- Monoscopic & stereoscopic support
- Gyroscope motion support
- “Magic window” viewing
- Customizable UI
- Upload and stream 360° videos in JW Platform
- Latest Chrome, Firefox & Edge desktop browsers
- Compatible with GearVR, Cardboard, and Daydream VR headsets