Sony Network Entertainment International and Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) have unveiled PlayStation Vue, a cloud-based TV service that Sony says “reinvents the television experience”.

“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 and Group Executive in charge of the Network Entertainment Business. “PlayStation Vue reinvents the traditional viewing experience so your programming effortlessly finds you, enabling you to watch much more of what you want and search a lot less. PlayStation Vue brings the best of live TV and a robust catalogue of the latest content, always keeping you connected to what’s popular, new and trending. Today’s announcement builds on the historic success of PlayStation4 and demonstrates what our company is capable of when we embrace disruption and stay true to gamers.”

According to Sony, PlayStation Vue leverages the power of the cloud to combine the live, on-demand, and catch-up TV content viewers love with a powerful user interface that delivers unprecedented personalisation and simplicity.

During the invite-only beta, PlayStation Vue will initially offer around 75 channels per market from the following major programmers, including local broadcast stations, so that viewers can enjoy their favorite movies, TV shows, and sports programmes:

• CBS – At launch, PlayStation Vue will offer the live linear signal from CBS Television Network’s owned-and-operated TV stations in select leading markets in addition to on-demand prime-time programming.

• Discovery Communications – Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery, Science, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, Discovery Family Channel and 11 more brands.

• Fox – Fox Networks Group’s portfolio of national entertainment programming services, including – FX, FXX, FXM, National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo WILD. Additionally FOX Sports’ national and regional programming services – FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports 2, BTN, Fox’s regional sports networks, including YES Network and Prime Ticket. The agreement also covers Fox’s owned and operated television stations.

• NBCUniversal – All local offerings from NBC, Telemundo and regional sports networks as well as Bravo, CNBC, E!, NBCSN, Oxygen, Sprout, Syfy, USA Network and more.

• Scripps Networks Interactive – HGTV, Food Network, Travel Channel, DIY Network and Cooking Channel.

• Viacom – BET, CMT, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, PALLADIA, Spike, VH1 and more.

Pricing and packaging details will be revealed at commercial launch but according to Sony, PlayStation Vue is “changing the rules for how people pay for subscription TV”.

PlayStation Vue will begin an invite only beta preview during November for select PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 owners, with a phased roll-out starting in New York followed later by Chicago, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. The service will also become available on iPad shortly thereafter, and later on more Sony and non-Sony devices.

PlayStation Vue will launch commercially during the first quarter of 2015.

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