Oculus Go today got a slew of new TV streaming services integrated into the Oculus TV app.

Oculus TV is a hub for viewing ‘flat’ TV content from various providers in a virtual theater. Now Sling TV, ESPN, and FOX NOW have joined the mix, letting you watch a range of new live and on-demand content. Here’s what Oculus has to say about the new additions:

Sling TV: As the leading live TV streaming service, Sling TV lets you personalize your channel lineup and save. For $25 a month, you can choose either Sling Orange to stream more than 30 live channels, including A&E, AMC, CNN, and Disney Channel, or you can go with Sling Blue, which gives you access to 45 live channels including USA, Cartoon Network and Discovery. And if you’re looking for something extra, Sling TV also offers a lineup of affordable add-on packages for every interest, from Comedy to Sports to Lifestyle to Hollywood movies.

ESPN: Sports fans, there’s now a new way to get closer to the game than ever before. Watch live games, studio shows, and on-demand programming 24/7 with access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, ESPNews, ESPN Deportes, and more by logging in with your TV provider. Plus, stream on-demand replays of games, shows, full-length films, and highlight clips. You can also sign up for a free trial of ESPN+ and stream thousands of live sports events (including MLB, NHL, MLS, international soccer, college sports, boxing, tennis, rugby and more) and binge watch exclusive ESPN+ original shows and the entire library of 30 for 30 films.

FOX NOW: Watch full episodes of your favorite FOX shows live and on-demand, including 9-1-1, The Resident, The Simpsons, Family Guy, Hell’s Kitchen, and Empire. Plus, stream live sports from FOX Sports and FS1 by logging in with your TV provider.

On the news Oculus is offering a promo for US customers: if you buy an activate an Oculus Go before January 15th, you’ll get an $80 credit toward Sling TV. Details here.

Image courtesy Oculus

The new streaming services are a win for Oculus who has been increasingly pushing Go as a media consumption device just as much as a gaming device, if not moreso. The company recently landed YouTube VR on Go after years of exclusivity on Google’s Daydream VR platform.

Sadly, Oculus TV doesn’t support any sort of multiplayer viewing, so you’ll continue to be stuck in your virtual personal theater by yourself. The app also isn’t available on Oculus Rift or even on the quite parallel Gear VR.

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Ben Lang
Ben is the world's most senior professional analyst solely dedicated to the XR industry, having founded Road to VR in 2011—a year before the Oculus Kickstarter sparked a resurgence that led to the modern XR landscape. He has authored more than 3,000 articles chronicling the evolution of the XR industry over more than a decade. With that unique perspective, Ben has been consistently recognized as one of the most influential voices in XR, giving keynotes and joining panel and podcast discussions at key industry events. He is a self-described "journalist and analyst, not evangelist."
  • JesuSaveSouls

    Oculus go has been such a hit.People are very fortunate to get a full unit with material packed for merely 200 dollars.I bought the developers gear vr years ago and it without the phone was 200.

    • jj

      right!! i couldn’t agree more

  • Patrick McKee

    All I see is a bunch of desperate media forms, cutting backroom deals to other failing companies. Just my opinion.
    Also just seems like a deserate 5 mins PR move that equals a big who cares.

    • Ballpeen

      Which of these are failing companies?
      btw, I see you have 2 Vives

      • Pizzy

        That was part of my opinion, nice to see another KS backer, I was on MTBS forum =) also. I have had rifts before also I just sold them on ebay. Vive is better, but I guess you could say that’s my opinion also.

  • impurekind

    I don’t think VR is quite at the resolution it needs to be to make this truly worthwhile and satisfying just yet, but it’s going to get their very soon. Once we get VR headsets with near retina resolution and near 200 degree field of view, I think VR is truly going to blow people out the water.

    • steve

      It has more resolution than basic cable. They compress the signal way too much.

    • johngrimoldy

      I think “truly worthwhile” is a subjective assessment that will vary from person to person. My Vive is satisfying — to me. Yes, I can see the screen-door effect. Yes, I look forward to much better resolution. However, I’m willing to overlook the warts of the moment to enjoy the ride. I don’t expect that everyone else should.

      I fully agree that VR with retina resolution with much larger FOV is going to be huge.

      • impurekind

        You should watch The Lion King 3D and the 3D Spongbob movie that has a traditional drawn section at the start. Those are two of thee absolute best viewing experiences I’ve have in VR, and amazingly, one of them wasn’t even created with 3D in mind initially. But they look utterly amazing in 3D in VR. And I can only imagine they’ll keep looking better and better on newer headsets with even higher resolutions and more field of view.

        • johngrimoldy

          Thanks for the heads-up! Titanic-3D was pretty impressive for a film not originally shot in 3D. The Planet Earth and Life series are spectacular even in HD on a large screen. In VR on a larger screen that wraps slightly (I’m a huge fan of SimpleVR player on my Vive — a great $8 purchase a couple of years ago), it’s amazing. I look forward to a higher-res VR headset where there is no screen-door effect.

    • sfmike

      Have you used it or are you just speaking out your butt. The Go is more than adequate for personal TV and movie viewing. Could it be better? Yes but it is better than watching video on your tiny phone and you are able to watch amazing 3D movies which is great since the TV manufacturers have decided only 4K discs of current films are allowable. And you don’t need 200 degree FOV to watch a TV show.

      • impurekind

        I own a Rift, have played on PSVR too, and I’m developing an FPS for VR as I type. Dose that answer your question?

    • Konchu

      I am personally pretty happy with most movie content in VR but I get where you are coming from. definitely want the “retina” resolution too. But there is something about a movie theater you can take with you anywhere like watching a movie in bed.

  • Steve

    Let me know when YouTube TV comes to Oculus Go.