It’s been rumoured for what feels like an eternity, but Sony has finally officially unveiled PlayStation Vue today – a cloud-based television service which will allow you to cut the cord on your cable or satellite box, and watch live or on-demand content on your PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 3. A beta will launch this month to select console owners.
To be fair, it sounds like a pretty nifty little service. The system will seamlessly combine live, on-demand, and catch-up television, under a single banner that works with a DualShock controller. Early images show a user interface similar to the one currently used by the PlayStation Store. It’ll recommend movies and shows based on your viewing patterns, and will also allow you to easily access the past three days of programming without the need for pre-recording.
Furthermore, you’ll be able to save shows to the cloud without storage restrictions or scheduling conflicts, and by tagging your favourite programmes, you’ll gain access to all of the episodes from that series anywhere for up to 28 days. Apparently, there’ll be 75 channels per market in the beta, with CBS, Fox, NBC, and Viacom all on board in North America. There’s no real word yet on how this will be supported in Europe or the UK.
Of course, the catch is that you'll have to pay on a month-by-month basis, but there won’t be any contracts like a cable or satellite subscription. Moreover, the platform holder promises that it will carry a “fair and competitive” fee. It’s not far away either – apparently, this is set to launch in the first quarter of 2015 in the United States. Again, there’s no real firm information on Europe at the time of typing.
On paper, this does seem like an excellent alternative to more traditional television delivery platforms, but the proof is very much going to be in the pudding. Many others have attempted to usurp cable and satellite companies and failed, but in PlayStation, there’s no doubt that Sony does at least have a brand and install base big enough to give this a good go.
This could be huge.
[source eurogamer.net, via polygon.com, vg247.com]
Comments 32
Where does "Powers" fit into this though?
@Jonny Presumably, it doesn't. That's going to be a PSN exclusive show, so while they might promote it in this app, PlayStation Vue is more about actual TV shows that you'd get through cable/satellite.
@Get2sammyB I'm hoping that's the case, I know Powers can be a dirty word around here but I'm curious to see it and I don't want to pay for an additional service onto of PS+ to do so (Especially since I'm already paying for Netflix)
Bring it on!. But I am realistic about if/when this will ever make it to Australia.
I haven't even watched 1 Blu-ray/DVD on my PS4 yet(had it for nearly 1 year now) & the main reason is(well i got a SONY Surround Sound System for that) the PS4 hasn't got a Remote Control + Can't SONY make an App so i could use my Smart Phone as a PS4 Remote at least? Anyway this sounds ok. Not really bothered about watching TV on my PS4 really.
@Strofan7 I very much doubt you'll get your wish.
If it has live sports like UEFA champions league or Liga BBVA or Barclays I'm definetly subscribing. If it comes to EU that is.
Im a past netflix and blockbuster member now on hulu for a while. If it has the content i will take a look. Content is the key Tv shows and movies!
Yeah, the likelihood of this coming to Australia is almost nil at this point - which is a shame, because this definitely has the potential to be very cool.
Also, more like PlayStation Poo, am I right? Don't worry, I'll hand in my shiny silver admin badge as I see myself out.
Im am stoked. I have basic cable, no on demand, and use my x1 as the cable box and my cable bill alone is 88$ a month. This stays under that price and im all over it. Cannot wait.
Vue. Where do they get these names?
Hopefully it's not over priced like Time Warner Cable. We are paying $180 a month for cable, internet, and phone. If I remove the phone option the price stays the same because I am in a so called bundle deal. The internet sucks and they give you the most outdated cable box I have ever seen. If this service by Sony isn't that expensive I may just remove the phone and cable and get Sonys service. I can't get rid of the internet though because Time Warner Cable is a monopoly in my area and I have no other options. I hate the Internet providers in the US, they are all monopolys with bad service.
i really wonder what is "fair and competitive" for Sony lol, they dont have the best history about competitive prices
And when is Sony going to learn, im not syaing this is a bad idea (it can be a very good one), but they arent exactly on their best moments, the whole VAIO/Xperia/PS3/Vita fiasco has cost A LOT of money (especially the first 2 ones, PS as a brand as huge as it sounds, it doesnt make them much money)
I hope they thought this through...
To be honest, I'll be impressed if this manages to top the Netflix / Now TV combo, but I'll definitely be keeping an eye on it to see how it shapes up. @Carl-G shame you don't have a Sony TV, the remotes can control the lot. I know the PS app has functionality to provide limited control for the PS4, can that not be used to control playback?
@Faruko I take your point re the VAIO and Vita, but the PS3 (although it didn't outsell the 360) still did tremendously well, and the latest Xperia series have been repeatedly hailed as being at the top of the market alongside the latest Samsung and HTC models, so I would've thought they can't have done too badly. I know myself and a few other friends will definitely be re-investing in the latest model when contracts are up for renewal!
@SteveButler2210 the PS3 did extremely well at the end, but in the begging it cost Sony SO MUCH MONEY i doubt the earnings where that impressive considering how it did start
Yes, Xperia phones are great, but they just dont sell that well too... their low/mid range are terribly overpriced and it doesnt help that Sony release like 8139481374 every 3 months, they are becoming Samsung in that regard (they did said they willforget low/mid range in hope for better sales)
in fact, Sony lose a lot of money in their last forecast, a net loss of 2b (http://www.dailytech.com/Sony+Forecasts+17B+Impairment+Charge+Due+to+Poor+Smartphone+Sales/article36565.htm) mostly because of poor phone sales
Surprised to see this coming to the PS3.
Wonder if the EU will get this or TVii first.
@rjejr
They won't get both. Europe is way too fragmented to roll out a service like this and cable TV here isn't as expensive as it is in the States, so people won't be interested. We pay like $75 a month for cable, telephone and almost the fastest internet in the world combined....you can't compete with that. They could if they would bring this exact package over; content wise Europe is way behind what the US is getting and I'd be interested in having a subscription to this in Europe quite frankly. I hope this will be possible without too much hassle, but I figure it won't for the same copyright and legal issues as why we don't get services like these in the first place.
As someone who lives in the UK I have doubts about this coming over here, it's rather redundant in the British based content since companies like BBC, ITV & C4 have their own (free) service so it would only leave Sky but of course they love having the monopoly on big American shows.
But can it HBO ?
I already have Sky, netflix and whatever LoveFilm is called these days...as well as the access to BBC Iplayer etc like everyone else with a PS3/PS4 in the UK..I doubt I need Playstation Vue in my life as well.
Sounds decent. Let's wait for the inflated price. 'You may like this' never works, pile of crud always, just provide proper search options, please please please.
Don't they already offer all of this on the PlayStation Store and Video Unlimited?
@Punished_Boss_84 vue is French, but why.
Might buy it for sports. I've been on the fence about subscription-based TV for years, but this could work well for me.
Hope it gets to Canada...
@adf86 Aye there's literally no reason for it to come to Blighty unless Sony spend hundreds of millions acquiring the biggest sports and American shows (which Sky would never let happen) or they fancy having their arse handed to them.
Super Excited for This!
@SP_TOOP those are one off rentals (which don't include live TV either), this would be a subscription service, more similar to Hulu Plus than Netflix it sounds like.
I'm paying through the nose for virgin media just so the other half can watch her soaps, so this is definitely appealing to me.
I think they'll find it hard to compete with Netflix. Netflix cost £5.99 and they invest in new shows. I do however wish Sony all the luck as they need the extra revenue these days.
Considering what Sony has done lately, they'll probably screw this up. They still don't even have Netflix on PSTV, which is completely ridiculous.
It sounds like a much better way to watch TV. Cable channels are so disorganized and messy with most providers and have slow ugly software, remotes, etc.
I assume it'll be available on PS TV too given the name.
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