Hulu VR App Reaches the Oculus Rift

Hulu said its recently launched virtual reality app is now available and viewable on the Oculus Rift, the new high-end headset from the Facebook-owned VR specialist. 

That experience, which requires users to connect the Rift to a high-octane PC, “creates a polished, sharper and highly responsive viewing experience in the Hulu VR app,” Hulu said.

The Hulu VR app, released in March, was originally optimized for Samsung’s Oculus-powered Gear VR platform. The Oculus Rift started shipping in late March. 

Timed with the expansion of its VR app on the Rift, Hulu said it has launched a “new, immersive virtual environment” to watch the first season of Syfy’s 12 Monkeys. Viewers who visit the 12 Monkeys show page will transported to the Temporal Facility, which houses the show’s time machine, Hulu said, noting that it partnered with show executive producer Terry Matalas and production designer John Mott to create the VR experience.

This represents the first “show space” for the Hulu VR app, and more are in development.

The Hulu VR app currently features more than 30 pieces of original VR content for free to viewers with or without a Hulu subscription.

VR will be a big topic at tomorrow’s Next TV Summit in San Francisco, which will start off with a keynote discussion with Ben Smith, Hulu’s head of experience.