Ever since the announcement of the PlayStation 4, few could deny that Sony’s been incredibly smart. The platform holder cunningly sold its next-gen system on the strength of its games, but, like Microsoft, the company still wants to rule your living room with more general entertainment applications as well. It’s no real surprise, then, to learn that it’s quietly lining up an Internet TV launch in the United States for this year.
According to a Wall Street Journal interview with group gaffer Andy House, the wheels are already in motion, with Viacom on board to deliver more than 20 channels to the service – including MTV and Nickelodeon. While there’s no confirmation of anything else just yet, the organisation’s supposedly in talks with other content providers to deliver a wide range of options.
It’s all part of the firm’s wider streaming plans, which include PlayStation Now. Already in beta on the PS4 and the PS3, the company expects to roll the service out to the Vita, PlayStation TV, and, impressively, even Bravia TVs before we all start singing Auld Lang Syne. The executive reiterated that the initiative won’t just be limited to Sony products either, with iPhones and Android tablets likely to be one day compatible with PlayStation games as well.
[source online.wsj.com, via gamesindustry.biz]
Comments 17
That title Couldn't resist could you?
@Punished_Boss Of course not.
Great irrelevant features that most devices can do in some form. I don't get the need for these kinds of things, surely media playback and streaming services should be enough when the main selling point of a console are games (something the PS4 still lacks a bit in).
@Jazzer94 I dunno, the people that are working on this are unlikely to have anything to do with the games side. I think, with things like this, more options are better than less. As long as one's not taking away from the other, I don't have a problem with it. After all, I use my PS3 for way more than games — and always have done.
@get2sammyb I'm just thinking is this worth Sony's time and money for a throwaway feature that can already be done by a plethora of devices, TV features on a console just doesn't seem like a selling point looking at the past. All they really need is playback for DVD/Bluray/mp3 and some streaming services.
I already have Netflix and Lovefilm on the PS4 as well as Sky TV so I'm covered for media. However the extra media abilities don't hurt to have around...and the PS3 and PS4 were always meant to be more of an entertainment hub than just a games console, even if Sony did choose (wisely) to focus on the gaming side of the PS4 in its advertising.
@Jazzer94 I for one love the TV features of the PS3, and am excited for them to come to the PS4.
More features is always great.
Yaaayyy, more movie/TV advertisements in the Games section of the PSN. I look forward to the disappointment gamers will express when the ad-space increases and the games are all buried under Amazing Spider-Man2 tiles.
Meanwhile, still nothing on being able to play our own music without pigeon-holing us into Sony's music unlimited bullcrap. Oh well.
I really wish Sony would just cut their losses and just stick to what they do best: Games, audio systems and Walkmans.
This isn't about PlayStation, This is about Sony as a whole. This is a big deal, taking the US one step closer to cutting the cable cord, seeing as this is full cable content streamed over the internet. I would be shocked if this is exclusive to Sony hardware, and I'll be even more surprised if it ends with Viacom.
This is perfectly fine to do since Playstation is mainly about games, so they can do this. Unlike Xbox which is the complete opposite. Sony is games games games and then TV, while Microsoft is TV, TV, TV, then games. The way Sony is handling this makes sense.
More features the better. I love gaming on ps4 but really enjoyed watching brasil world cup on ps4 bbc sports app. I game and my gf tunes into tv and movies. Now if it could stream tv to my gf's tablet and let me play games at same time, the multi function of the ps4 would be awesome .
I would love this feature. As long as it's priced right it would be a nice choice other then cable or satellite.
This feature is great for people who are cord cutters and don't want to be tied down to a cable provider(in the US)
If they can add sport channels (espn, fox1, nbatv, etc) I really think this can take off. especially if it's an "a la cart" service where you can pick and choose.
I find it hard to even watch Netflix on my PS4 without a remote controll! (Having the controller on for hours in case you need to pause, wasting the battery, is less than ideal) Sony, either support the PS3 remotes, or release a PS4 one please! Until then I will continue to use my PS3 for media, as much as it pains me to do so!
@dgwdum: I would love an a la cart option. That was one reason I cut my satellite I got tired of paying for channels I never watched.
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