Beavis and Butthead

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]