PlayStation Vue

PlayStation Vue is an over-the-top (OTT) internet television service that is owned and operated by Sony. Unveiled on March 18, 2015, the service combines live TV, on-demand video, and cloud-based DVR to stream TV shows, movies, and sports directly to a PlayStation console or other supported device without a cable or satellite TV subscription.^[1] As of June 2016, the service had approximately 120,000 subscribers.^[2]

Availability

PlayStation Vue is available only in the United States. The service was rolled out in 2015 to residents in Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Philadelphia and San Francisco.^[3] PlayStation Vue was launched across the United States on March 14, 2016. Sony introduced Vue into 203 new markets.^[4]

Supported devices

On October 27, 2016, Sony announced that Playstation Vue would be available on Android TV. PC and Mac support was also announced as "coming soon."^[5] PC and Mac support (by web browser) became available in early November 2016. On November 17, 2016, the service was launched on Apple TV.^[6]

Supported PlayStation Vue devices include:^[7][8]

TV-connected

• PlayStation 3 and 4 consoles
• Roku (both device and stick)
• Amazon Fire TV (both device and stick)
• Android TV
• Apple TV

Mobile

• Android mobile devices
• iOS mobile devices
• Google Chromecast (cast from mobile device)

PC and Mac

• Watch PlayStation Vue by web browser

Issues

Cookie settings in Google Chrome

PlayStation website sign-in

PlayStation Website Sign In won't work if third-party cookies have been blocked in the web browser. (In Google Chrome that option is in chrome://settings/content.)

Initial activation

Initial activation of PlayStation Vue (including setting "home" location) and required profile creation can only be performed with a "supported, TV-connected device" (PlayStation 3 or 4, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, or Android TV) with Internet access. Activation and required profile creation with mobile or Chromecast is not supported.^[9]

Roku activation

As of October 2016, some users were complaining of Roku activation problems (particularly 1016 errors).^[10]

Mobile restrictions

Some PlayStation Vue live content and Cloud DVR recordings of My Shows are mobile restricted (blocked on mobile devices, including Chromecast, even when on home network).^[9]

Program guide

For those not satisfied with the PlayStation Vue user interface, particularly on Roku devices, a good program guide is available at the independent (not affiliated with PlayStation) website StreamingTVGuides.com.

Replay

Replay and playback positioning work poorly in Roku devices as of November 2016. (Try left and right navigation buttons rather than fast forward and reverse. Multiple attempts will sometimes be successful.) Amazon Fire TV devices may be a better alternative to Roku.

Content

Sony has announced agreements with many major content producers, including ABC, CBS, Disney, ESPN, Fox, NBC Universal, AMC Networks, Turner Broadcasting System, Home Box Office/Cinemax, and Viacom.

On September 30, 2016, a fourth package was created (Ultra), that includes the east and west feeds of HBO and Showtime.^[11] With HBO's agreement with PlayStation Vue, Cinemax is included on the lineup as only an add-on channel; also, PlayStation Vue customers who subscribe to HBO will have access to their Now service (which is usually offered as a standalone subscription without need of a TV provider), as opposed to the similar Go service,^[12] which is strictly offered through traditional cable and satellite providers.^[13]

PlayStation Vue features four packages:^[14][15]

In addition, users can also access programming from more than 60 networks' TV Everywhere apps or websites, by logging in with their PlayStation Network ID.^[4][16]

PlayStation Vue restrictions limit simultaneous streams to five devices. A single PlayStation Vue account can simultaneously stream PlayStation Vue on up to one PS4 console and one PS3 console in the same home. Additionally, Fire TV, Roku, Chromecast, iOS, and Android devices can be used for additional streams, with up to five total devices supported at once.^[9]

Packages are billed on a monthly basis and are allowed to be canceled at any time. No contract is required and a free one-week trial is offered to any who would normally be able to access the service who have not previously redeemed a trial. The monthly rate is charged to the viewer's credit card if the service is not canceled before the end of the trial period.^[17]

As of October 2016, A&E Networks (including Lifetime, LMN, History Channel and others), the CW, PBS member stations and networks, Univision (along with its sister and cable channels except for Fusion), and some Independent stations has not made any agreements to make their programming available to PlayStation Vue. Currently, Univision has its own Over-the-Top service known as Univision Now. WPWR-TV, the Chicago market's MyNetworkTV owned-and-operated station assumed The CW affiliation from WGN-TV on September 1, 2016; however, Vue has all CW network programming blacked out on WPWR, while the station's other programming that they have streaming rights to airs in the clear.^[18]

During the summer and fall of 2016, Vue has also added selected CBS affiliates to the lineup, specifically those owned by Meredith Corporation (KCTV Kansas City, KMOV St. Louis, KPHO Phoenix, WFSB Hartford/New Haven, and WGCL Atlanta), Sinclair Broadcast Group (KEYE Austin, WKRC Cincinnati, WWMT Kalamazoo/Grand Rapids, Mich., WHP Harrisburg/Lancaster, Pa., KUTV Salt Lake City, and WPEC West Palm Beach), Raycom Media (WOIO Cleveland, and WBTV Charlotte), and Midwest Television (KFMB San Diego).^[19] With the exception of WSVN Miami/Fort Lauderdale (Fox affiliate owned by Sunbeam Television), KPRC Houston, WDIV Detroit (NBC affiliates owned by Graham Media Group), and the aforementioned CBS affiliates, all other local stations currently offered on Vue are those owned and operated by their respective parent network.^[20]

On November 8, 2016, PlayStation Vue announced that it was dropping all Viacom networks from the service effective November 11, 2016. It also announced the addition of BBC America and NBA TV on November 9th, and Viceland in the future.^[21]

Cloud storage

PlayStation Vue offers a 28-day Cloud DVR users can access by adding content to "My Shows".^[9]

References

External links

• Official website
• Program Guide (StreamingTVGuides.com, not affiliated with Sony)