Sony plans to begin testing its new subscription cloud TV service PlayStation Vue in New York City later this month.
After that initial test of the service, which is delivered via the Net to PlayStation 4 and PS3 game systems, Sony expects to launch the service in four cities – New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and L.A. – during the first three months of 2015. More cities will go online after that, says Sony Computer Entertainment president and group CEO Andrew House.
PlayStation Vue blends live local broadcast and cable TV network programming with on-demand content and programs that viewers have saved in a cloud-based DVR. Six major content partners are on board: CBS, Discovery Communications, Fox, NBCUniversal, Scripps Networks Interactive and Viacom.
That adds up to about 75 channels including Comedy Central, Animal Planet, Food Network, Syfy and Nickelodeon. Sony continues talking to other major providers with the biggest holdout being Disney, parent company to ABC and ESPN.