The PlayStation Vue Thread

[Bodo Fenrirsson]

With the exception of the CW, which is a subchannel here anyway, PlayStation Vue has all of my locals now for Augusta, GA. It's obviously not carrying the subchannels or the PBS channels, but combined with Philo, it's probably the best streaming service for me.

 

[schneid]

How much of there offerings are in 5.1 surround? Curious as Amazon will soon release its Recast DVR capable device with an OTA tuner. They have partnered with Vue to provide the streamers with an integrated guide covering OTA. Biggest threat I've see to AT&T's efforts to do the same thing with now.

 

[harshness]

I doubt anyone is using any of the three AT&T OTT offerings (two existing and one in the works) as a measuring stick for how things should be done. It seems obvious that the DIRECTV Now interface has a long way to go and from the recent financial call, it sounds like that's where they are headed. It would likely be a hard sell in Apple houses if the interface requires Android TV for religious reasons.

 

[SpaethCo]

Sony PlayStation Vue Has Dropped NESN; Act Now To Keep Bruins, Red Sox!

Just like in the cable and satellite TV space, the contract dispute wheel keeps turning for streaming providers.

I wonder if the extra viewer data helps or hinders the negotiations? While the cable/sat providers have some viewership metrics, due the mechanics of streaming, companies like Sony/PSVue know exactly how many people watch any given network.

 

[harshness]

With sports, I'd imagine it is nearly a 1:1 relationship. Sports channels really have the services over a barrel. Other content that people watch on demand or through other channels and is more about offering a full palette for one-stop viewing.

 

[Jagosaurus]

Checking in. This August will be 2 years on Vue

Still really happy with the platform & cranking the package down to Access tier outside of football season. Hallmark Channel being in Core package & overlapping with football helps Mrs. Jago.

Over 2 years I've saved roughly $1,000 - $1,200 depending on how you calculate it. The Roku Ultras have also changed the way we watch "TV" across the household and spanning multiple apps (not just Vue). Overall a great jump & I saved some cash in the process. Also, I love how I can cancel tomorrow if I need to. Just having that peace of mind is nice.

Question... if it was named Sony Vue vs Playstation Vue do you think it would've lead to any significant change in subs? I imagine a lot of folks still believe you need a PS game console. Sony is obviously worried as well as I recall their super bowl add mentioning no playstation needed.

 

[Ronnie-]

I have said from the beginning that they should have called it Sony Vue Tv . Connecting it to the Playstation does exactly what you said, makes most think you need to have a PS console, and the Vue name itself doesnt give any real idea as to what the service is unless you get to checking.

 

[ncted]

I have said from the beginning that they should have called it Sony Vue Tv . Connecting it to the Playstation does exactly what you said, makes most think you need to have a PS console, and the Vue name itself doesnt give any real idea as to what the service is unless you get to checking.

I wonder if there was some problem with them using the Sony name on the service because of their Sony Pictures subsidiary. Vue is under the Interactive Entertainment subdivision in the Electronics division, while Sony Pictures is under the Entertainment division. Internal politics or some other reason might have kept Vue as a Playstation-only service. Just a thought.

 

[Zookster]

The PS Vue branding fiasco is just Sony being Sony. Within the past few years, they've rebranded Sony Music Unlimited (a streaming music service most people outside of the Playstation eco-system didn't even know existed) as Playstation Music. Same thing for their VoD service, which used to be Sony Video Unlimited. Now Playstation Video. It's pretty much like iTunes, Amazon VoD, and Vudu, except not really marketed outside of the Sony/Playstation ecosystem. Maybe some marketing moron along the way thought PS Vue would help sell Playstations?

EDIT: If you go to this link on a PC, and click the down arrow next to "Services" in the main menu bar, you'll see how all their services start with "PS."

 

[ncted]

The PS Vue branding fiasco is just Sony being Sony. Within the past few years, they've rebranded Sony Music Unlimited (a streaming music service most people outside of the Playstation eco-system didn't even know existed) as Playstation Music. Same thing for their VoD service, which used to be Sony Video Unlimited. Now Playstation Video. It's pretty much like iTunes, Amazon VoD, and Vudu, except not really marketed outside of the Sony/Playstation ecosystem. Maybe some marketing moron along the way thought PS Vue would help sell Playstations?

EDIT: If you go to this link on a PC, and click the down arrow next to "Services" in the main menu bar, you'll see how all their services start with "PS."

Or maybe Playstation owners were the demographic they were hoping to attract? I can imagine they tend to be largely affluent and willing to pay for content.

 

[Zookster]

Or maybe Playstation owners were the demographic they were hoping to attract? I can imagine they tend to be largely affluent and willing to pay for content.

I've always thought that too. There's a HUGE Playstation install base, with more than 90 million monthly active PS4 users. Source. If they had just gotten 5% of their regular users to subscribe on a consistent basis, they'd be way ahead, numbers-wise, among the OTT live TV services, especially since they were the second service to launch nationwide (after Sling).

 

[harshness]

Sony has their eye on the same thing that Microsoft does with the XBox and Apple with the ATV: they want the Playstation to be the go-to entertainment hub.

That Sony doesn't have much of an answer for the latest XBoxes is a fairly big problem that they seem to be in no hurry to address. That Apple is hobbling along with the ATV is awkward, but the Apple Zealots will eat what scraps they are fed and proclaim that it tastes heavenly.

 

[Jagosaurus]

When telling others about Vue, I had several respond with "But I don't have a Playstation."

While they might have gained subs from PS console owners, I think they lost a lot more opportunity to gain the casual Sling type audience with their branding.

Interesting they decided to brand Crackle as Sony Crackle. Now that may have to do with Sony Pictures content. Seems they'd have branded them both as Sony, or at least have Crackle VOD shows play within Vue under a single pane of glass. Seems like a missed opportunity there.

 

[Bruce]

When telling others about Vue, I had several respond with "But I don't have a Playstation."

While they might have gained subs from PS console owners, I think they lost a lot more opportunity to gain the casual Sling type audience with their branding.

Interesting they decided to brand Crackle as Sony Crackle. Now that may have to do with Sony Pictures content. Seems they'd have branded them both as Sony, or at least have Crackle VOD shows play within Vue under a single pane of glass. Seems like a missed opportunity there.

Sony does not own Crackle, Chicken Soup for the Soul (PopcornFlix) does.

Sony’s streaming service Crackle sells majority stake to Chicken Soup for the Soul – TechCrunch

 

[Jagosaurus]

Still branded as Sony Crackle right now. Looks like that happen end of March so fairly recent. I quite enjoyed The Oath & Snatch TV series originals.

 

[Zookster]

Looks like PS Vue is getting ready to make a price increase announcement in July, their usual month for such announcements:
Exclusive: PlayStation Vue Adds beIN SPORTS & BabyFirst to Streaming Service

They've also recently moved the Tennis Channel down to the Core plan.

 

[harshness]

Looks like PS Vue is getting ready to make a price increase announcement in July, their usual month for such announcements:
Exclusive: PlayStation Vue Adds beIN SPORTS & BabyFirst to Streaming Service

You surmised from the fact that they're adding a couple of channels that they're going to raise their rates? The linked article doesn't seem to support (or preclude) that conclusion. Your observation about July being the month is certainly accurate as increases have happened the last two Julys.

The PSVue website says that GINX is being moved to a "Sports Pack" so that may make room for beIN.

I like beIN a lot and that's probably why my streaming bundle wish list included Fubo.

I wonder if Sony has found a sustainable business model for PSVue yet.

 

[Zookster]

You surmised from the fact that they're adding a couple of channels that they're going to raise their rates? The linked article doesn't seem to support (or preclude) that conclusion. Your observation about July being the month is certainly accurate as increases have happened the last two Julys.

The PSVue website says that GINX is being moved to a "Sports Pack" so that may make room for beIN.

I like beIN a lot and that's probably why my streaming bundle wish list included Fubo.

I wonder if Sony has found a sustainable business model for PSVue yet.

Yes, you surmised correctly. A PS Vue price increase in July is purely conjecture on my part. I have no insider info and I do not work for the company. I would even go so far as to say the linked article in no way, shape, or form, implies, suggests, or otherwise supports such an assessment. Just connecting the dots. Sorry if I stole your doom-and-gloom thunder about OTT prices going up.

 

[harshness]

Sorry if I stole your doom-and-gloom thunder about OTT prices going up.

I'm perplexed that you would suggest that adding a channel is likely to result in a price increase (especially since GINX is going away for some).

 

[ncted]

I'm perplexed that you would suggest that adding a channel is likely to result in a price increase (especially since GINX is going away for some).

Note to self: use perplex more in conversation.