Sony Launches ‘PlayStation Vue’ Cloud TV Service, Coming to iPad Soon

Yesterday, Sony launched its long-anticipated streaming television service called PlayStation Vue in select markets like Chicago, New York City and Philadelphia. The online video subscription service doesn’t require a cable or satellite subscription.

It will be initially available on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 consoles and is coming to Apple’s iPad “in the near future,” the Japanese giant has confirmed.

“The TV experience needs a revolution and PlayStation Vue changes the rules by embracing how today’s viewers want to discover and enjoy content,” said Andrew House, President and Global CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. and Group Executive in charge of the Network Entertainment Business. “PlayStation Vue modernizes the TV viewing experience, taking the best of live TV and on-demand content and bringing it to the PlayStation ecosystem in a way that gives control back to viewers and enables them to spend more time watching their favorite programs and less time channel surfing using outdated menus.”

In exchange for a flat fee of fifty bucks per month, users get a total of 53 various channels, including content from broadcast networks CBS, Fox and NBC, as well as cable networks TNT, MTV, Nickelodeon, CNN and Comedy Central.

A higher-tiered $60 per month plan expands on the channel selection with the addition of regional sports networks like YES, Comcast SportsNet Chicago and Philadelphia and Big Ten. Upgrading to a $70 per month service gives you expanded cable options with FXM, Sprout and more.

● Live TV – Watch all channels live and see what is trending.
● Personalization – PlayStation Vue enables users to bring their favorite channels and shows to the forefront of their experience.
● Cloud DVR – Easily tag shows to watch later with the service’s powerful DVR feature. Every episode aired thereafter will be available for up to 28 days in the cloud with no storage limit or scheduling conflicts to manage.
● Discovery – Innovative Explore, Search and Guide features provide immediate access to the content viewers want, enabling them to watch more and search less.

PlayStation Vue will offer live and on-demand content from more than 85 channels at launch, including many local broadcast stations. These include the following networks and channels:
● 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).