Katie Marsal
Sony's new Internet-based streaming TV service Vue is now available on PlayStation consoles in select markets, and will be coming soon to Apple's iPad, as cable cutting options available to consumers continue to grow.
The new Sony Vue service includes 53 channels for $50 per month, including broadcast networks CBS, Fox and NBC, as well as popular cable networks TNT, MTV, Nickelodeon, CNN, and Comedy Central. Stepping up to a $60 plan adds regional sports networks like YES, Comcast SportsNet Chicago and Philadelphia, and Big Ten, while expanded cable options like FXM and Sprout are available at the $70 tier.
Not participating in Sony Vue, however, are Disney's ABC and ESPN. Dish's competing $20-per-month Sling TV does include those networks.
Sony first announced Vue last November, debuting in a limited invite-only beta. Thursday's more formal launch brings it to PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 consoles in New York, Chicago and Philadelphia, with more markets scheduled to come later this year.
Support for Apple's iPad with a dedicated app is also said to be coming soon, but Sony hasn't given a launch timeframe.
Vue features both live TV and cloud VR functions. The full lineup of channels is:
- 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).
Vue is yet another option for so-called cable cutters, looking to gain access to live television broadcasts through providers other than traditional cable companies. Apple is said to be planning its own streaming service, which could launch as soon as September.
Apple's streaming service is rumored to cost between $30 and $40 per month, and the company is said to be in talks for deal with a number of major partners, including ABC, CBS, and Fox. Absent is said to be NBCUniversal, which is owned by Comcast, though the government could force Comcast to broker a deal.
Charles Martin
Christine McKee
Oliver Haslam
23 Comments
Ok I don't live in the US and I don't think such options will be made available outside the US (although now is the time to cover that gap in the market) but $50-$60 ?? Would anyone pay that? On top of your broadband and other house bills ?
Ok I don't live in the US and I don't think such options will be made available outside the US (although now is the time to cover that gap in the market) but $50-$60 ?? Would anyone pay that? On top of your broadband and other house bills ?
Because it's a lot less than cable.
But really, without ABC and ESPN ... that's gonna be a tough sell. Well, if you don't care at all about sports, I suppose not. But ...
I currently have DirecTV. I'm able to watch more and more channels on my iOS devices outside my house. They also have VOD services where I can watch a lot of shows on demand. Plus with DirecTV I'm able to access things like HBO Go and WatchESPN. Other than possibly price why would I want a service like this or what Apple is rumored to be cooking up? What is the benefit? With DirecTV I get all the major networks whereas ?TV is rumored to be missing NBC (Comcast) and Sony is missing ABC (Disney). I don't see how this is revolutionizing TV. All it is, is a slimmed down cable package running over the Internet. And how does that work for people who don't have unlimited or fast internet service? I hope this isn't what Steve meant when he told Walter Isaacson he cracked TV.
For any Home entrainment HUB to be successful, it should have 1. Good Streaming Device with all possible contents including live TV channels 2. Decent(not necessarily die hard) gaming device. 3. Home appliances and gadget control HUB able to work remotely with cell phone, laptop apps. 4. Able to download on-line shows/movie for later viewing 5. Decent accessories(keyboard,voice enabled, phone remote control app)) to browse internet.
$50 to $70? Sony is obviously unclear on the concept.
Now I pay DirectTV $82.73/month (that includes all charges, taxes, etc) for 150 channels. But I'm "cutting the cord" and instead of DirectTV, I'm switching to Roku3, Mohu Sky 60 antenna, a Channel Master DVR, and Netflix. After purchasing this equipment, I'll be paying $8.65/month. See the difference Sony? $8.65 vs $82.73. And now you expect me to pay $50 to $70/month for less channels than I'd get through DirectTV for about the same price, and no ESPN? Are you nuts?
But I guess you'll catch a few of the suckers. I guess you can't go wrong with the old adage, "A fool and his money are soon parted."