V.R. Takeover Is Nigh

Illustration by Lars Leetaru

A new study finds that one-third of global consumers are expected to use VR technology by 2020, Paul Bond writes:

Something missing from the TV experience since video-on-demand and streaming media changed the dynamics is the so-called watercooler effect, whereby so many viewers watch the same episode of the same popular show on the same night then discuss it the next day at work.

Virtual reality, though, is set to reintroduce a similar sort of social aspect back into television, according to a study from Ericsson ConsumerLab that claims to represent the views of 1 billion media consumers worldwide.

"VR will reignite the campfire experience of TV," according to the study, set for release today. The study says 10 percent of consumers already use a VR device in some capacity, largely in videogaming, while more than 25 percent are planning to purchase one. Full story. 

What else we're reading... 

— "For Disney chief Robert Iger, an unlikely political turn." Jim Rutenberg writes: "He is emerging as credible contender in the 2020 presidential speculation game." [The New York Times]

— "There can never be another Spielberg." Sean Fennessey writes: "If the whiz kid from Phoenix had never come along, Hollywood would have had to invent him." [The Ringer]

— "Here's why so many women knew the rumors about Harvey Weinstein." Anne Helen Petersen writes: "For women, knowledge of abusive men—obtained via gossip or whisper networks—isn't frivolous or titillating. It is a means of survival." [Buzzfeed News] 

— "The glorious bullshit of Reservoir Dogs, twenty-five years later." Tom Shone writes: "Nothing about Reservoir Dogs, though, has aged quite as badly as the original reviews." [The New Yorker]

— "Revisiting Star Trek's most political episode." Robert Greene II writes: "In 1995, the Deep Space Nine installment 'Past Tense' stood out for its realistic, near-future vision of racism and economic justice." [The Atlantic] 

— "Vince Vaughn is a beast like you've never seen him before in Brawl in Cell Block 99." Jen Yamato writes: "The actor, now 47, comes full circle in a way, channeling a disquieting combination of blue-collar rage and hurt into his fists." [The Los Angeles Times]

What's ahead this week...

Monday: The CW premieres military drama Valor. 

Tuesday: Marvel's Thor: Ragnarok premieres in L.A.

Wednesday: The CW premieres its Dynasty reboot ... USA rolls out Mr. Robotseason 3.

Thursday: Same Kind of Different As Me, starring Greg Kinnear and Renée Zellweger, premieres in L.A. ... Hulu premieres the Sarah Silverman-hosted variety show I Love You, America ... BET premieres new late-night entry The Rundown With Robin Thede. 

Friday: amFar honors Julia Roberts at its annual gala in L.A. ... Netflix releases the first season of David Fincher's FBI period drama Mindhunter... Professor Marston and the Wonder Women, Marshall, The Foreigner, andHappy Death Day hit theaters in wide release. 

Today's birthdays: Bella Hadid, 21, Chris O'Dowd, 38, Steve McQueen, 48,Pete Docter, 49, Guillermo del Toro, 53, Scott Bakula, 63, Tony Shalhoub, 64, Sharon Osbourne, 65.