A method of decoding and displaying virtual reality data, comprising: receiving a file (200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700) containing virtual reality data, wherein the virtual reality data represents a 360-degree view of a virtual environment; extracting the virtual reality data from the file, wherein the virtual reality data is stored in the file in accordance with a file format, wherein the file format specifies placement within the file of the virtual reality data and specifies placement within the file of information associated with the virtual reality data, wherein the information associated with the virtual reality data is stored within a track box (224, 424, 524, 624, 724); extracting a sample entry from the track box, wherein the sample entry is associated with one or more samples, wherein the sample entry indicates that the track is a timed metadata track that contains information identifying a most-viewed viewport associated with the virtual reality data, wherein the most-viewed viewport is associated with a presentation time of the virtual reality data to the user and a viewport fully covered by a set of most-requested picture regions based on measurements of viewing statistics of the virtual reality data at the presentation time, the most-viewed viewport being a recommended viewport to display to the user when the user does not have control of the viewing orientation, and wherein the most-requested picture regions are the picture regions most frequently requested by receiver devices or viewed by prior users at the presentation time during prior playbacks of the virtual reality data; and decoding and rendering the virtual reality data for display to a user, wherein the virtual reality data is rendered and displayed using the information on the most-viewed viewport associated with the virtual reality data. receiving a file (200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700) containing virtual reality data, wherein the virtual reality data represents a 360-degree view of a virtual environment; extracting the virtual reality data from the file, wherein the virtual reality data is stored in the file in accordance with a file format, wherein the file format specifies placement within the file of the virtual reality data and specifies placement within the file of information associated with the virtual reality data, wherein the information associated with the virtual reality data is stored within a track box (224, 424, 524, 624, 724); extracting a sample entry from the track box, wherein the sample entry is associated with one or more samples, wherein the sample entry indicates that the track is a timed metadata track that contains information identifying a most-viewed viewport associated with the virtual reality data, wherein the most-viewed viewport is associated with a presentation time of the virtual reality data to the user and a viewport fully covered by a set of most-requested picture regions based on measurements of viewing statistics of the virtual reality data at the presentation time, the most-viewed viewport being a recommended viewport to display to the user when the user does not have control of the viewing orientation, and wherein the most-requested picture regions are the picture regions most frequently requested by receiver devices or viewed by prior users at the presentation time during prior playbacks of the virtual reality data; and decoding and rendering the virtual reality data for display to a user, wherein the virtual reality data is rendered and displayed using the information on the most-viewed viewport associated with the virtual reality data.