Sony’s PlayStationVue, a cloud-based OTT TV service, is launching in New York, Chicago and Philadelphia, starting at $49.99 per month.
The new service is to compete head-on with Apple’s OTT service, which is tentatively scheduled for launch later this year. Interestingly, Sony has been developing an app to make the Vue service available to Apple iPad users.
The line-up of channels include CBS, NBC Universal, AMC Networks, Viacom, Fox, Discovery Scripps and many others (for a full list, please scroll down).
The service, which runs on Sony’s gaming platform, will be available to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 owners. Sony plans to make Vue available in other cities later this year.
Access, the basic package of channels, costs $49.99 a month; an extend3d toer retails at $59.99 a month.
“The TV experience needs a revolution and PlayStation Vue changes the rules by embracing how today’s viewers want to discover and enjoy content,” said Andrew House, president and global CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. and Group Executive in charge of the Network Entertainment Business.
“PlayStation Vue modernises the TV viewing experience, taking the best of live TV and on-demand content and bringing it to the PlayStation ecosystem in a way that gives control back to viewers and enables them to spend more time watching their favorite programmes and less time channel surfing using outdated menus.”
The full line-up of channels consists of: CBS – At launch, PlayStation Vue will offer the CBS Television Network’s live linear signal in its owned-and-operated markets. On-demand prime-time programming will be available as well.
Discovery Communications – Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery, Science, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, Velocity and 11 more brands.
Fox – Fox Networks Group’s portfolio of national entertainment programming services, including – FX, FXX, FXM, National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo WILD. Additionally Fox Sports’ national and regional programming services – FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports 2, BTN, Fox’s regional sports networks, including YES Network. Plus the live linear signals of the Fox owned and operated broadcast television stations.
Fox News Network – Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network.
NBCUniversal – NBCUniversal’s portfolio of national programming services – Bravo, Chiller, Cloo, CNBC, CNBC World, E!, Esquire, Golf Channel, MSNBC, NBCSN, NBC UNIVERSO, Oxygen, Sprout, Syfy, Universal HD and USA. Additionally, the agreement includes the NBC and Telemundo owned television stations, as well as multiple NBC Sports Regional Networks.
Scripps Networks Interactive – HGTV, Food Network, Travel Channel, DIY Network and Cooking Channel.
Turner Broadcasting –TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, CNN, CNN en Espanol, Boomerang, Turner Classic Movies (TCM), HLN and truTV.
Viacom – BET, CMT, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr, TV Land, Spike, VH1 and more.
AMC Networks – AMC, IFC, SundanceTV and WE tv (available next month).
