Sphere Celebrates First Anniversary Of Exosphere With Two New Features

The Exosphere debuted in all its technological glory July 4, 2023. To mark its first anniversary, Sphere will premiere new content on the Exosphere with a special Fourth of July celebration, presented by Verizon. It marks the launch of two new features of the Exosphere going forward, “XO Stream” presented by Verizon, an official livestream of the Exosphere available online 24/7, and “XO Audio,” customed audio synced to content on the Exosphere that will be audible onsite within Sphere’s property and online via “XO Stream.”

Earlier in the evening on July 4, Exosphere will also honor the winners of the Las Vegas-based Sphere XO Student Design Challenge with a special pre-show ceremony. The show itself takes place at 9:30 p.m. PT and again at 11:40 p.m. PT. The event will honor America in six acts in a tribute to art, science, wonder and how it unites.

The student design challenge invited more than 100,000 Clark County-based students to participate, from elementary school, middle school, high school and college. Four winners, one from each of the four student groups, will be chosen via public voting. Four more winners, one from each student group, will be selected by professional artists who have previously designed for the Exosphere.

“Sphere has become a global landmark that has redefined the live experience, including the Exosphere, a captivating platform for storytelling since it first illuminated last Fourth of July,” Jim Dolan, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sphere Entertainment, said in a statement. “We’ve only scratched the surface of what Sphere is capable of both creatively and technologically. Now, with the addition of ‘XO Audio’ and ‘XO Stream,’ we are building on our commitment to immersive experiences that create a deeper multi-sensory connection – one that can be shared across the Las Vegas community and around the world.”

Verizon will be incorporating custom content on the Exosphere that will run throughout the Fourth of July programming, including during the countdown to the main show, and will be featured on sphere.com as a presenter of “XO Stream” from July 4 onward.

“XO Stream” is the only official livestream of Exosphere and begins at 9:30 p.m. on July 4 on both thesphere.com and YouTube. “XO Audio” will feature sound curated exclusively by Sphere Studios synched to the movements and imagery on the Exosphere. 

“This Fourth of July we are celebrating the Exosphere and all the ways it amazes and reconnects with audiences around the world, building on its impact and reach,” Jennifer Koester, President and Chief Operating Officer of Sphere, said in a statement. “With the launch of both ‘XO Audio’ and ‘XO Stream’ as part of the Exosphere experience, brands and artists can create an even more immersive experience both live and across social media.”