In addition to the JW Player VR HTML5 plug-in that plays 360° content on desktop and mobile Web, the JW VR SDKs allow publishers to stream 360° content through their own native apps, which provide smoother and more performance immersive experiences.

In all, JW Player’s online video platform uses native mobile VR SDKs to empower publishers to create branded VR video apps. 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.

“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.

“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 centre 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.”