Usually getting more means paying more, but Sony deviated from the norm when it announced new pricing while adding popular channels to its Internet TV service, PlayStation Vue. In a post on the Playstation blog today, Sony shared that the service’s multi-channel packages now include programming from Disney, which means users will get a loaded suite from the Mouse, including ESPN, ESPN 2, ABC, Disney Channel, and more.
At the same time, pricing for each of Sony’s three plans has been cut by $10 for both new and existing subscribers.
Sony’s most basic 60-channel plan, Access, will now be priced at $40; Core, which tops 75 channels will cost $45; and Elite, a 100-channel plan is now just $55. Those on the entry-level Access plan will gain ABC, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, Freeform (formerly ABC Family), ESPN, and ESPN 2, while Core will tack on ESPNU, ESPNews, and SEC Network. Disney’s Fusion channel will be added only to the Elite plan.
Rolling out today, ABC local stations will be added to PlayStation Vue plans in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. ABC VOD programming will come to Dallas and Miami at a later date. Sony also has plans to add ESPN3, ESPN Goal Line, ESPN Buzzer Beater, ESPN Bases Loaded, Longhorn Network, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN Classic at a later date. In the meantime, users will be able to access Disney and ESPN Media Networks apps by signing in with their PSN login on compatible devices.
PlayStation’s official Twitter account shared the news Wednesday of the newly available channels and reduced prices.
Starting today: Disney, ESPN Networks join PlayStation Vue, reduced prices start at $39.99: https://t.co/8dS7gRLBWI pic.twitter.com/XfGoJN9vLd
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) March 2, 2016
The move is likely an effort to better compete with Vue’s biggest rival in the Internet TV space, Sling TV, which starts at just $20, and includes ESPN and ESPN2, as well as several other coveted channels like CNN, History, and more. ABC can also be added to Sling TV via one of the service’s $5 add-on bundles. Sling TV continues to grow, and AT&T plans to make DirecTV streaming more convenient with its own three-plan rollout.
The addition of Disney and ESPN Media Networks’ popular channels and lowered prices should help PlayStation Vue compete with its Internet TV rivals as cord-cutting gains more traction.
