Sony has announced it is expanding its fledgling PlayStation Vue pay TV platform across the United States.
The console-based initiative, which offers bundles of channels starting at $30 a month, has only been available in a few cities around the United States since its launch last year.
The PlayStation Vue Access Slim package encompasses more than 55 channels, while the $45 Elite Slim package offers more than 100 channels.
See also: PlayStation Vue: Can it replace cable?
Sony has managed to make agreements with most of the major networks in the United States, either as live channels or accessing the content on demand. Significantly, it has now acquired ESPN content.
Those in the initially available territories (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco and Miami) will continue to be able to access local channels, but for now the new locales will lack live access to broadcast networks like ABC, Fox and NBC.
The service offers a cloud-based DVR, which subscribers can use to save programming as they would with the physical storage on a cable or satellite box. Sony’s solution however, offers 10 times more storage than any DVR on the market today, plus conflict-free recordings.
The console-based alternative to a cable subscription is attractive due to its no-commitment monthly contracts and the lack of a need for additional hardware or installation costs.
Sony’s nationwide launch beats Apple to the punch. Cupertino is still thought to be hammering out deals with content providers for its own pay TV service on the 4th Gen Apple TV box.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.