Sony Wants to Change the Way You Watch TV
Sony on Thursday unveiled the PlayStation Vue, a new cloud-based TV service that combines live shows and on-demand content for delivery over Sony's PlayStation gaming consoles. The PlayStation Vue will also make popular new episodes available three days past their original air date so users don't have to schedule recording, Sony said. A user interface additionally offers "unprecedented personalization and simplicity," while keeping viewers connected to what's popular or trending, Sony wrote in a press release announcing the new service. "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, in that release. Sony also aims to disrupt traditional subscription TV payment models by offering PlayStation Vue on a month-to-month plan with no cancellation fee. There are no equipment or installation fees if users already have broadband Internet and a PlayStation 3 or PlayStation 4 console. The PlayStation Vue will be available for invite-only beta preview during November for select PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 owners in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Los Angeles, Sony said. The beta preview will then roll-out on other Sony and non-Sony devices, including Apple's iPad tablets. PlayStation Vue's commercial launch is scheduled for the first quarter of 2015. Pricing has not yet been announced.