Cord-cutters who have been contemplating Sony’s solid PlayStation Vue service now have another couple of reasons to consider it as an option: Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick and upcoming Chromecast support.
In other words, subscribers won’t need a PS4 or PS3 to use the service on an HDTV. Sony has even revised some of the pricing to make it a bit cheaper for bigger, multi-channel packages.
Read on for the announcement.
Sony Network Entertainment International LLC (SNEI) today announced the pioneering cloud-based TV service, PlayStation Vue, is expanding to Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, with support for Google Chromecast coming soon. This expansion marks the first time that PS Vue will be offered on TV-connected devices beyond the PlayStation 4 (PS4) and PlayStation 3 (PS3) systems.
With Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, consumers can access PlayStation Vue for the first time directly on their HDTV without a PlayStation system, opening up the service to an even broader consumer audience. PlayStation owners with an existing PlayStation Vue subscription can use Amazon’s streaming devices to access PS Vue on additional TVs in their household. The full PlayStation Vue offering of standalone channels available nationally and multi-channel packages in select markets is available on Amazon’s streaming devices.
Users with an existing subscription will also be able to access the cloud-based TV service on Google Chromecast via the PlayStation Vue Mobile app from compatible iOS devices later this year. This brings the availability of PlayStation Vue to a total of seven devices: PS4, PS3, Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, iPhone and iPad, with Chromecast coming soon. The launch of PlayStation Vue on new devices gives viewers more choice and flexibility to access the service’s unique offering of live TV, movies, and sports without a cable or satellite subscription.
“Adding PlayStation Vue to these popular streaming devices is a great way to extend our pioneering cloud-based TV service to other TVs in the household and to reach new consumers who don’t own PlayStation consoles,” said Dan Myers, head of product for PlayStation Vue. “With the holiday season around the corner, now is the ideal time for us to expand PlayStation Vue access, as many consumers will be purchasing or receiving these media devices as gifts.”
Leading into the holiday shopping season, PlayStation Vue subscribers will see new standard pricing for select multi-channel packages starting today. PlayStation Vue’s sports tier package, Core, will be available at $54.99 (reduced from $59.99) and the premium tier package, Elite, at $64.99 (reduced from $69.99). The price is effective immediately for new subscribers, while current subscribers will receive the new pricing in their next billing cycle. PlayStation Vue’s basic tier package, Access, is available for $49.99 and includes 50+ broadcast TV, movies and sports channels. Each plan is hassle-free, with no additional fees or long-term contracts.
Multi-channel packages are currently available in the New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco and Miami TV markets. PlayStation Vue also offers standalone channels across the United States, including SHOWTIME, EPIX Hits, Fox Soccer Plus, and Machinima.
For a limited time starting November 15, 2015, new users who sign up for a free trial of PlayStation Vue’s Core and Elite multi-channel packages will receive a free Amazon Fire TV Stick with their first month paid subscription. The promotion runs in select cities where PlayStation Vue multi-channel packages are available. For full terms and conditions, please visit www.psvue.com