Asharq News seeks to redefine immersive journalism using Zero Density AR technology

Reality 5 de Zero Density allows Asharq News transform its journalistic narrative through the daily deployment of important augmented reality resources and the generation of a totally virtual set that adapts to electoral contexts and other major episodes marked by current events.

Asharq News was launched four years ago with a clear vision: attract a younger audience through a highly data-driven approach. Since its inception, the network has gone from simply adopting new technologies to setting a world-class standard in television innovation, using specialized studios and robotic cameras to bring complex stories to life.

This commitment to immersive storytelling reached its peak globally with its US election coverage. By using augmented reality for open-air graphics and a totally virtual set, The network offered a unique view of the event, capturing key moments from coast to coast and showcasing iconic locations.

This massive undertaking involved more than 1,043 templates and set extensions spanning all 50 US states, plus major Arab and European capitals, providing election coverage on a scale never seen before. In the words of Steven Cheak, director of brand and creative: "We knew we wanted to attract a much younger audience. We knew we wanted to be very data-driven. So we embarked on new technologies to achieve that goal. And virtual production was a very important part of that."

Translating information into new audience codes

The main challenge for Asharq News was to create a visual language that would resonate with a tech-savvy audience. The objective of virtual stories, especially in energy and technology segments, was to make complex information as easy to digest as possible.

Asharq News brings this vision to life from three studios equipped with Zero Density technologies such as Reality 5, which allows the team meet tight deadlines and get on air comfortably. As Mohsen Serry, deputy director of graphics, comments: "Reality 5 gives me flexibility and full control to create my vision... Photorealism is something very important for our work. We start by focusing on the details, because the details make the difference."

The end result of these productions often provides an entertaining and rewarding experience for the talents involved. The technology allows presenters to see themselves in surprising and innovative situations that they did not expect while filming, creating a sense of accomplishment in the way content is delivered to the viewer. In this process, what makes the difference is the placement of 3D objects directly on the virtual set with which the presenters can interact, which makes the narration is more informative than traditional videos or images.

The recent coverage of the US elections was one of Asharq News' most ambitious projects. The network created an “extended studio” with virtual environments for the White House and Congressional elections, allowing the broadcast to remain editorially appropriate while providing a huge visual impact supported by real-time data using Reality Hub. "We were able to show all 50 states with Trump and Harris and the results of each state in what we call full-screen AR. This was very well received. It made us look very different," adds Cheak.

https://youtu.be/-KODv7Qyo3A