Sony Has A Cloud TV Service Coming To PS3 And PS4

Sony just announced a new on-demand service that doesn’t use traditional satellite or cable services. Instead, it’s cloud-based. Sony is calling it PlayStation Vue.

According to Sony, PlayStation Vue is available through the PS3 and the PS4. There are no contracts and no hidden fees. However, expect more details about pricing at a later date.

PlayStation Vue allows viewers to save their favourite shows to the cloud and view them for up to 28 days. Viewers can also have on-demand access to the last three days of TV programming.

Sony is holding an invite-only beta this November, during which 75 channels will be available, including programming from the following networks: CBS, Discovery, Fox, NBC Universal, Scripps Networks Interactive and Viacom. Sony says more network partners will be announced in the future.

PlayStation Vue is slated for launch in the US during first quarter 2015. It’s set to expand to non-Sony devices, including the iPad.

Below, you can see the full release from Sony:

Introducing PlayStation Vue, Sony’s New On-Demand TV Service

Sony Network Entertainment International And Sony Computer Entertainment Unveil PlayStation™Vue, A New Cloud-Based TV Service That Pioneers The Future Of Television

Access live TV and on-demand content without a cable or satellite service

Select PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 Owners Will Be Able to Preview the Service in Beta Starting This Month

SAN MATEO, Calif., Nov. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Network Entertainment International LLC (SNEI) and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today unveiled PlayStation™Vue, a pioneering new cloud-based TV service that reinvents the television experience.

“Everyday TV is about to become extraordinary with our new cloud-based TV service, PlayStation™Vue,” said Andrew House, President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. and Group Executive in charge of the Network Entertainment Business. “PlayStation™Vue reinvents the traditional viewing experience so your programming effortlessly finds you, enabling you to watch much more of what you want and search a lot less. PlayStation™Vue brings the best of live TV and a robust catalogue of the latest content, always keeping you connected to what’s popular, new and trending. Today’s announcement builds on the historic success of PlayStation®4 and demonstrates what our company is capable of when we embrace disruption and stay true to gamers.”

Removing Barriers between Viewers and Content

PlayStation™Vue leverages the power of the cloud to combine the live, on-demand, and catch-up TV content viewers love with a powerful user interface that delivers unprecedented personalisation and simplicity.

PlayStation™Vue immediately connects viewers to the content they want to watch, helps them easily access their favourite shows and channels, and recommends movies and shows based on their viewing habits and what’s trending.

Discovering content is both simple and powerful with PlayStation™Vue. The smart “Search” feature narrows down results quickly and intuitively, and the powerful “Explore” function allows viewers to filter the entire catalogue of live and on-demand content by type of program, genre, ratings, popularity, length and more.

PlayStation™Vue delivers catch-up and on-demand TV, freeing viewers to watch TV on their own schedules. The service makes the past three days of popular programming available without the need to schedule recordings.

Viewers can save their favourite shows to the cloud without storage restrictions or scheduling conflicts. Once viewers tag a favourite show, they will automatically have access to episodes of that show for 28 days so that they can watch on their own time.

PlayStation™Vue is simple to navigate and intuitive to use. By leveraging the power of the PlayStation® platform and controller, viewers are always one click away from quick access to watching, finding, and discovering content.

The Best Content on TV

During the invite-only beta, PlayStation™Vue will initially offer around 75 channels per market from the following major programmers, including local broadcast stations, so that viewers can enjoy their favourite movies, TV shows, and sports programs.

The following is a list of our current network partners, with additional partners to be announced in the future:

CBS — At launch, PlayStation®Vue will offer the live linear signal from CBS Television Network’s owned-and-operated TV stations in select leading markets in addition to on-demand prime-time programming.

Discovery Communications — Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery, Science, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, Discovery Family Channel 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 and Prime Ticket. The agreement also covers Fox’s owned and operated television stations.

NBCUniversal — All local offerings from NBC, Telemundo and regional sports networks as well as Bravo, CNBC, E!, NBCSN, Oxygen, Sprout, Syfy, USA Network and more.

Scripps Networks Interactive — HGTV, Food Network, Travel Channel, DIY Network and Cooking Channel.

Viacom — BET, CMT, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, PALLADIA, Spike, VH1 and more.

Transparent Pricing with No Commitments

Pricing and packaging details will be revealed at commercial launch but PlayStation™Vue is changing the rules for how people pay for subscription TV.

What you see is what you pay — fair and competitive price that is transparent with no hidden fees or charges.

No contracts — maximum flexibility as PlayStation™Vue will be offered on a month-to-month basis without any penalty or customer service hassles for cancellation.

No equipment or installation charges — with broadband internet service and a PlayStation®4 system or PlayStation®3 system, there’s no need to install or rent any additional equipment.

Availability

PlayStation™Vue will begin an invite only beta preview during November for select PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 owners, with a phased rollout starting in New York followed later by Chicago, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. The service will also become available on iPad® shortly thereafter, and later on more Sony and non-Sony devices.

PlayStation™Vue will launch commercially during the first quarter of 2015.