Sony has a treat for cord-cutters, extending the availability of its PlayStation Vue TV streaming service to Android TV.
Moreover, PlayStation Vue is also set to hit PCs and Mac sometime in the near future, albeit no specific timeframe is available at this point.
This should bring good news for people who want to ditch their cable or satellite TV subscriptions, as they now have more options to enjoy PlayStation Vue without a PlayStation console.
"The device options for PlayStation Vue are expanding with some highly requested platforms," Sony announced on its PlayStation blog. "We're pleased to announce that you can watch your favorite TV shows, movies, and sports through PlayStation Vue on Android TVs starting today."
Users will soon be able to sign up for the web version for PC and Mac right from their browser and watch their movies and TV shows on various devices including the desktop, Roku, Android TV, and Android and iOS smartphones and tablets.
Sony is also cooking up a little treat for the Mac and PC version of PlayStation Vue. The company says it will offer some unique features with this version, including a mini-player that will let users minimize the video to the corner or the browser so they can also do other things while watching.
Extended availability should substantially boost PlayStation Vue's popularity and better position the service to compete against the likes of Sling TV, AT&T's newly-announced DirectTV Now, or Hulu's upcoming live TV service. Such services aim to deliver an online alternative to cable TV, making life easier for cord-cutters.
PlayStation Vue offers tiered access to live cable TV and on-demand programming, as well as movies and sports programmes. Prices vary based on package, ranging from $29.99 for 55+ channels to $64.99 for 100+ channels, including HBO and Showtime. In cities where major live broadcast stations are available, the package will cost $10 extra.
Highlight features that make PlayStation Vue worth a thought include its cloud-based DVR that enables users to schedule a slew of shows at once, as well as support for streaming on up to five devices at the same time. Sling TV, for instance, allows simultaneous streaming on up to three devices.
PlayStation Vue also resembles a traditional TV experience more closely, as it combines live, local broadcasts with on-demand streaming for a more engaging experience.
The service is now available for Android TVs with Android OS 4.4 or newer, including the NVIDIA Shield TV. As for the upcoming Mac and PC release, we'll let you know as soon as Sony offers more details.
