5 Unveils AR Experience for Seven Wonders

SandStone Global Productions and AR Studio Paris are developing an at-home augmented reality experience for 5’s upcoming series Seven Wonders of the Ancient World with Bettany Hughes.

In the series, Hughes visits ancient sites across Greece, Egypt and Turkey. With the AR experience from Snapchat’s AR Studio Paris, viewers will be able to scan an on-screen QR code that will deliver a virtual, immersive experience around those sites, including the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and the Statue of Zeus at Olympia.

Hughes said: “The past is a living place, a place that’s relevant to all of us. Using this meticulously researched Augmented Reality allows viewers at home to explore right inside these ancient wonders. It’s an immersive experience that we hope will bring the past to life for millions!”

Ben Wymer, senior director of global brand experience and AR Studio Paris added: “We’re excited to partner with SandStone Global Productions to show how AR is transforming how we experience culture, understand the world and access places that people may not be able to see in real life. Thanks to Snap’s leading AR tech, viewers will be able to virtually travel to moments in time to explore, learn and see historical sites. From traveling to Egypt’s Old Kingdom to check out the Giza Pyramids to seeing the beautiful Hanging Gardens of Babylon—this is an incredible project that will help millions of Snapchat’s audience and people around the world connect with the most famous historic sites from the comfort of their own homes.”

Adrian Padmore, commissioning editor for unscripted at 5, added: “This is a truly groundbreaking experience, blending Bettany Hughes’ incredible historical knowledge of the ancient wonders of the world, with a uniquely immersive AR treat for our loyal 5 audience. We’re always searching for new ways to push the boundaries of our history programming, and this series really does bring the ancient world right into your living room.”