Sony added a huge acquisition to their cloud based TV streaming service, Playstation Vue. Having acquired three of the four major networks (CBS,NBC,FOX) the last major network (Disney) was notably absent. Sony announced in a press release that Disney has finally signed on to the Playstation Vue service and will be bringing much requested channels ESPN, ABC, The Disney Channel, and more to Vue.
A total of 18 new channels will be added to the Vue service listed below:
- ABC Owned Stations Group
- ABC Family (becoming Freeform in January)
- Disney Channel
- Disney Junior
- Disney XD
- ESPN
- ESPN2
- ESPN College Extra
- ESPNU
- ESPNEWS
- ESPN Deportes
- ESPN Classic
- ESPN Goal Line
- ESPN Buzzer Beater
- ESPN Bases Loaded
- Fusion
- Longhorn Network
- SEC-ESPN Network
The agreement also includes access to on-demand content from Disney and ESPN Media Networks and an option for live streaming a local ABC affiliate.
Head of the Playstation Vue project, Dwayne Benefield added, “We know this is a network partner many of you have been asking for, and we’re excited about delivering on the promise of making the best TV content available on PlayStation Vue.”
This move fills the huge hole missing in Playstation Vue’s service. Aside from major networks CBS, NBC, and FOX the Vue service already secured cable networks Comedy Central, Bravo, Fox News, FX, and SyFy.
Vue currently is in direct competition with Dish Network’s Sling TV. Vue is currently only offered in major markets New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco and Miami while Sling TV is available nationwide. Sling TV is also offered on more devices, including Xbox One, and is much less expensive at $20 a month when compared to Vue’s most expensive ‘Elite’ service at $69.99 per month. Lacking from the Sling TV service are broadcast networks and DVR functions however. How the new Disney agreement will affect Vue’s pricing was not stated.
No time frame has been given on when the new channels will appear on the service. Playstation Vue is currently available on Playstation 4, Playstation 3, and IOS.