Discovery and Sony Network Entertainment International LLC (SNEI) have announced a new agreement for the distribution of the former’s portfolio of programming to US audiences on PlayStation Vue, SNEI’s new cloud-based TV service that aims to reinvent the television experience.
PlayStation Vue will begin an invite-only beta during November with commercial launch to come during the first quarter of 2015. The deal encompasses 18 Discovery networks and services, including all 13 US networks as well as next-generation digital entertainment from Discovery Digital Networks and Animal Planet L!VE.
Discovery president, domestic distribution Eric Phillips said in a statement: “Discovery Communications’ award-winning portfolio of brands and compelling programming attract diverse and engaged audiences, and we are excited that viewers will soon have the opportunity to enjoy our family of networks on SNEI’s cloud-based TV service, PlayStation Vue. Discovery’s strategic content investment and ownership allows us to be platform ready, and we are proud to partner with Sony to reach existing and new audiences with our world-class content.”
Sony Computer Entertainment president, group CEO Andrew House added: “Everyday TV is about to become extraordinary with our new cloud-based TV service, PlayStation Vue. We are thrilled to be partnering with Discovery Communications and excited to offer their award-winning portfolio of content on PlayStation Vue for our users to discover and enjoy.”
The distribution agreement between Discovery and SNEI aligns the US portfolio of the pay TV programmer in the world with millions of internet-enabled Sony devices, including more than 35 million active PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 devices in the US. Discovery produces 2,500 hours of content annually.
PlayStation Vue will offer users live TV and video-on-demand content over the internet from Discovery Communications’ 13 US linear networks, including Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet and Investigation Discovery. In addition, PlayStation Vue viewers will soon be able to enjoy web-native entertainment from Animal Planet and Discovery Digital Networks including Animal Planet L!VE, TestTube, SourceFed and Revision3.