Quick take:
- British TV show “Doctor Who” is coming to the metaverse.
- The BBC has partnered with Reality+ to create metaverse experiences based on the iconic fantasy series.
- The BBC’s popular car and bike review talk show “Top Gear” will also be coming to The Sandbox.
One of the world’s longest-running fantasy adventure TV series “Doctor Who” is coming to the metaverse. The BBC, which has been the network carrier for the iconic show since 1963 has collaborated with metaverse development company Reality+ to build metaverse experiences based on the show.
This partnership will also see the UK broadcaster bring another popular program, the car and bike review talk show “Top Gear” to the immersive 3D world.
The experiences will be accessible via the “BBC Events Space” on the leading metaverse platform, The Sandbox. This is The BBC’s first foray into the metaverse.
Commenting on the announcement on Thursday, Nicki Sheard, president of brands & licensing at BBC Studios, said in a statement: “I’m delighted that BBC Studios is partnering with Reality+ and The Sandbox on this exciting venture. While the metaverse is still in its infancy, it may shape how we consume and experience entertainment in the future and I’m looking forward to seeing how fans interact with our brands in this space.”
The move is part of BBC Studios’ strategy to tap into emerging trends in the entertainment industry. “This project forms part of BBC Studios’ broader ambitious plans to grow our brands into new categories, with innovative technology and platforms forming an integral part of this,” Sheard added.
BBC Studios is joining a growing list of entertainment brands that have launched metaverse experiences in The Sandbox, including Warner Music Group, Ubisoft, Gucci Vault, The Walking Dead, and Adidas.
Tony Pearce, cofounder of Reality+ commented: “We’re excited to have extended our partnership with BBC Studios, not only to help them push the boundaries of what’s possible in the metaverse but for the opportunity to deliver exciting new experiences for the fans of these world-renowned TV shows. We’ve already achieved so much with the digital trading card game Doctor Who: Worlds Apart, and now with a fantastic platform like The Sandbox, there’s much more to come.”
This move comes amid online conversations that have dismissed the metaverse, calling it a pipedream. And given recent events by leading tech players like Meta, Microsoft, and Tencent, all of which have laid off staff involved from their metaverse divisions, some have even gone on to say “The metaverse is dead.”
Well, it looks like it is alive and well, at least in ‘Doctor Who’s universe’.
Sebastien Borget, COO at The Sandbox, added in a statement, “We’re proud that BBC Studios chose Reality+, a certified metaverse agency partner working on The Sandbox platform, to enter the metaverse with top global brands like Doctor Who and Top Gear. The BBC has a history of pioneering content that leverages the latest technology and putting it into mainstream households. We think this venture is an important step to bringing British culture and fans into virtual worlds.”
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