Desperate bid for positive PR.
Reputable high street retailer HMV has blasted Sony's last minute decision to offer free Bravia TV's to initial PS3 buyers as "unneccessary" and as a shameful bid for some last minute positive PR. Maybe it was a blatant bid for PR, but I don't think Sony should be blasted for this, they are a business in the game to make money...
"Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz a spokesperson for the high street retailer said, "The stunt of giving away over £200,000 worth HDTVs, though great for the fans that managed to get one, struck me as being slightly unnecessary in the greater scheme of things - especially as it may have encouraged some of the more cynical media to think of it as a last-minute attempt to bolster queues and PR coverage."