Discovery among PlayStation Vue partners for TV programming

Enlarge Photo

Bloomberg

Sony's PlayStation Vue will try to capture cord cutters among its more than 35 million active game console owners in the U.S.

15 photos

Home of the Day

Sponsor Listing

Jeff Clabaugh

Broadcast/Web Reporter- Washington Business Journal

Email  |  Twitter

Sony is going after cord cutters with its own package of broadcast and cable programming through its video game console PlayStation. And Silver Spring-based Discovery Communications is among the cable giants partnering with Sony for PlayStation Vue, a cloud-based service.

The Discovery partnership includes programming from 18 Discovery brands, including Discovery Channel, TLC and the Oprah Winfrey Network.

Sony's content partners also include nearly two dozen Viacom channels such as Nickelodeon, MTV and Comedy Central, as well as broadcasters CBS, Fox and NBC.

PlayStation Vue launches later this month in beta, with a full commercial launch in the first quarter of 2015.

"Everyday TV is about to become extraordinary with our new cloud-based TV service," said Andrew House, president and group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment,.

In addition to live programming, PlayStation Vue will also have catch-up and on-demand TV, with the previous three days of programing available without the need to schedule recordings.

During its beta launch, Vue will offer 75 channels.

Sony has not yet announced pricing for the service but says it will be a "fair and competitive price that is transparent with no hidden fees or charges," and no contracts or extra equipment or installation.

There are currently 35 million active PlayStation3 and PlayStation4 consoles in the U.S.

Jeff Clabaugh covers general assignment and provides business coverage for WTOP.