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PlayStation Vue Expands Nationwide, New Markets Starting At $30 A Month
Starting today, Sony Network Entertainment International is expanding its cloud-based TV service, PlayStation Vue, to an additional 203 areas. The expansion covers the entire U.S., with service in the new areas staring at $29.99 per month. In addition to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3, Vue can be used using an iOS product or Amazon's Fire Stick.
PlayStation Vue launched in limited markets last March, and now offers a TV service with more than 100 channels supporting live and on-demand content, as well as "thousands of hours" of cloud DVR service. The $29.99 entry point only offers 55 channels. The full selection of 100-plus channels is only offered in the "Elite Slim" plan for $44.99 a month. Unlike most cable networks, PlayStation Vue doesn't lock consumers into lengthy contracts. It can be cancelled after a month of trying it out.
In a press release issued by Sony, Eric Lempel, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Head of PlayStation Network Americas, SNEI said, "Since launching a year ago, our priority with PlayStation Vue has been to secure the best TV content for our audience and make it available to consumers nationwide; today, we're delivering on that promise. PlayStation Vue has been an ambitious project from the start, and national expansion demonstrates our ability to innovate in an industry that's overdue for a reinvented experience. Thanks to the strong network relationships we've forged and technology we've built, consumers nationwide can enjoy a better way to watch TV."
Some of the top stations on view are ESPN, CNN, Disney XD, Syfy, Showtime, and TNT. While offering local sports channels for specific areas (check the website to see if your area is covered), it doesn't offer most local affiliate channels.
Our Take
I would love to cut the cable and turn to a service like Vue, but the price point is rather steep when stacked up against Netflix and Hulu. The lack of local channels is also disappointing. Are you using Vue to stay current on TV? If not, what services are you turning to?
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