For decades, if you wanted TV channels you either had an antenna or a cable subscription. In the last few years many shows have become available over the Internet or through streaming services, but they aren’t arranged in channels in the same way that cable TV presents the content. However, coming out of the Consumer Electronics Show this week, a pair of new services intends to bring TV programming to a new platform: Your game console.
First up, PlayStation Vue, which was initially announced last year, has finally been given the go-ahead to launch commercially in early 2015, according to Shacknews. The service has been in beta for the last few weeks, but Sony has confirmed it’s finally moving forward over the next few months, ready to be made available on PlayStation consoles first (both PS3 and PS4) before moving on to additional Sony and non-Sony televisions and other products. This includes tablets and mobile devices, like Apple’s iPad and iPhone line-up.
Pricing and availability details haven’t been revealed yet, but with Sony talking with several partners on the service, it’s likely to be worth it to those who are looking to do away with their skyrocketing cable bills.
Meanwhile, Microsoft will be getting its own shot at a broadcasting service. Dish Network’s Sling TV, which recently launched with a number of live TV networks across an Internet connection (for a convenient price of $20 a month), will be making its way to Xbox One in the months ahead, through a special app that can be downloaded from the Xbox Live Marketplace.
“Sling TV is an over-the-top, television service that will deliver live sports, lifestyle, family, news and information channels, Video-On-Demand entertainment, and the best of Internet video for $20 per month,” said the Xbox Wire announcement. “With Sling TV, there’s no commitment, contract, credit check, hardware installation or hidden fees. Confirmed channels include ESPN, ESPN 2, TNT, TBS, Food Network, HGTV, Cartoon Network and Disney Channel, with more to come. And Xbox One will be the exclusive gaming console when it launches in the coming weeks.”
Between these services, gamers may never feel the need to click on a cable box again. That is, if they perform up to snuff once they get out of beta and onto the marketplace, of course . . .
