Sports Illustrated And LIFE VR Win Sports Emmy For "Capturing Everest"

The Collaboration Between Sports Illustrated and LIFE VR Recognised in Outstanding Digital Innovation Category

Meredith Corporation brands Sports Illustrated and LIFE VR received a Sports Emmy award for “Capturing Everest,” the first-ever bottom-to-top climb of Mount Everest captured in virtual reality. The VR experience won the Outstanding Digital Innovation category.

“Capturing Everest” premiered in May 2017 on the LIFE VR app, on an SI.com “Capturing Everest” microsite, and as a cover and an AR feature in SI’s print issue.

Episodes follow the harrowing journey of climbers Jeff Glasbrenner, who became the first American amputee to summit Everest on this expedition; breast cancer survivor Lisa Thompson; and Brent Bishop, son of legendary climber Barry Bishop.

The unprecedented VR production has received many awards since its launch, and this significant recognition from The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences further affirms SI’s and LIFE VR’s groundbreaking capabilities in digital media.

Sports Illustrated has consistently led the industry in exploring inventive ways to implement the most cutting-edge technology and trends into its print magazine, website and social media presence.

SI was an early adapter of augmented reality features in select print issues, allowing stories to leap off the page and into viewer’s devices.

SI also launched Sports Illustrated TV (SI TV) in November 2017 and became one of the first sports media entities to break into the SVOD arena.

SI is a journalistic enterprise covering the world of sports both on and off the field. Debuting in 1954, it has garnered worldwide acclaim for its award-winning storytelling born from an independent voice and for its unparalleled access to the most popular athletes and newsmakers from the sports world.

LIFE VR has created an array of high quality, groundbreaking productions that explore the world in virtual reality, from the top of Mt Everest, to the ocean in Peru in “Take Every Wave: Laird in VR,” where Laird Hamilton rides the world’s longest wave for miles, to the depths of outer space in “Buzz Aldrin: Cycling Pathways to Mars,” where Buzz Aldrin takes viewers on a journey to Mars.