PlayStation Vue Now Available—For Some People on Some Devices
Sony has launched its PlayStation Vue online TV bundle, and the rumors have proven to be true. For now, the service is available only to residents of New York City, Philadelphia, and Chicago, and only to those with a PlayStation 3 or 4.
Basic service, called Access, goes for $49.99 per month and includes 53 channels. Subscribers will get CBS, NBC, and Fox programming, but no ABC. Popular basic cable channels CNN, MTV, USA, E, Bravo, and FX are included, but not ESPN. The $59.99 per month Core package adds Turner Classic Movies and some sports channels, while the $69.99 per month Elite package adds in college sports channels and several less popular basic cable channels. Sony says it will add AMC to all packages in April. It will also add IFC, Sundance, and We TV in April, but didn't say which packages will get them.
The service includes live TV streams, an on-demand library, and advanced filters for finding content. A cloud DVR feature lets subscribers tag the shows they want to save and store them online for 28 days. There's no size limit to the cloud DVR. Subscribers can also watch previously aired content for up to three days and tag favorite channels so they show up first in the onscreen guide. Initial reports say the interface is far easier than Sling TV's.
Subscribers can access the service from up to three home consoles, but there's no mobile access and no way to log in from a friend's console. Also, there's no option to subscribe to a premium movie service.
PlayStation Vue is the most comprehensive channel bundle yet, but also the most expensive. It will be interesting to see if Sony expands access beyond its gaming consoles (reports say that iPad access is coming), and which cable alternative presents the most desirable option for viewers.
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