Snapchat Partners with Channel 5 to bring AR to TV Show

Snapchat has joined forces along with Channel 5 in the U.K. to incorporate its AR technology within a brand-new TV show exploring the ancient wonders of the world.

Snapchat has announced a new collaboration with Channel 5 in the U.K. This partnership brings “Augmented Reality” (AR) directly to viewers of TV via QR codes. Once scanned by these codes, Snapchat’s AR experiences, allow viewers to gain an interactive, deeper knowledge of the historical sites featured in the show.

Following example elaborates the same:

What’s the Show About?

As explained by Snap:

“Airing on Channel 5 in the UK, the series follows Bettany Hughes OBE across three continents to investigate the Seven Wonders, traveling to ancient locations across Greece, Egypt, and Turkey to meticulously re-examine the 2,200-year-old “bucket list.” By simply scanning an on-screen QR code with their phones, viewers will be able to virtually travel to moments in time to explore, learn, and see these sites. From traveling to Egypt’s Old Kingdom to check out the Giza Pyramids to seeing the beautiful Hanging Gardens of Babylon – people will be able to explore these awe-inspiring sits in Augmented Reality.”

To sum up Airing on Channel 5, the series travels viewers to historic locations within Greece, Egypt, and Turkey providing a fresh view of these famous places, which have been around for more than 2200 years. When scanning an QR code displayed on the monitor, people are able to access AR experiences using Snapchat’s Snap camera. 

This lets them virtually travel to the locations featured during the film, ranging from to the Giza Pyramids in Egypt to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, making history come alive through Augmented Reality.

Why It Matters?

This is a major move for Snapchat and demonstrates how AR can be used to enhance education and engage. By directly connecting AR experiences to TV show, Snapchat not only boosts the awareness about its AR capabilities, but also encourages viewers to engage with the video in a more immersive way.

With AR glasses in the near future coming from Snap and others in the tech industry, this alliance could allow Snapchat to expand its reach to a wider audience, particularly those who might not normally use Snapchat. 

While Snapchat’s primary user base is younger in age, the latest initiative could attract people who are more traditional TV viewers which could expand the reach of Snapchat beyond its typical audience.

The Bigger Picture

It’s an interesting experiment that blends traditional media with new technologies. This is a successful method for Snap to appeal to an audience that is larger, especially since the demand for AR increases.

In the meantime, as AR is gaining ground across various sectors collaborations such as this are paving the way for greater acceptance and the integration of AR into daily life.

You can find more information about the Snapchat partnership with Channel 5 here.