Sony’s somewhat pricey “PlayStation Vue” television streaming service is now available on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 consoles in a few select markets, and it will be coming to the iPad in the near future.
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.
Disney’s ESPN and ABC networks are noticeably absent from the above list.
Vue – which offers both live TV and cloud VR abilities – debuted last November, in a limited invite-only beta. Thursday’s city-limited public launch brings the service to PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 consoles in New York, Chicago and Philadelphia, with more markets scheduled to come online later in the year. (Sony’s PlayStation TV streaming video and gaming box is not compatible with the Vue service.)
Support for Apple’s iPad is said to be coming soon, but Sony hasn’t announced a specific launch date for the app.
Vue’s full lineup of channels is as follows:
- 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 brings yet another option to the table for viewers wishing to break away from the traditional cable company tether.
Apple is reportedly in talks with content providers, including CBS, FOX, and Disney (ABC) to launch its own subscription-based streaming television service by fall. The service would reportedly have around 25 channels at its debut, and would run between $30 and $40 per month. Apple is also reported to be in talks with Discovery and Viacom to include their channels in its streaming lineup.
