Sony’s PlayStation 3 wants to be more than just a gaming device: it’s planning to introduce a film and TV show download service. In this episode, we look at how PS3’s digital media maneuver could compete with Apple’s iTunes and Xbox 360’s Live service.
Digital Journal — You can’t go a week without a next-gen gaming console trying to outfox its competitors. This time, Sony is playing catch-up: it has been reported the company will introduce a video download service via its PlayStation Network that will allow PlayStation 3 owners to buy full movies and TV shows. Sony is a few years late in the game, because Xbox 360 Live and Apple iTunes already offer similar download programs.
According to the L.A. Times, who broke the story, Sony is negotiating licensing deals with studios to bring the video download service to the PS3 as early as the summer 2008.
There’s good reason to believe this monumental project is more than just a rumour. Sony’s Peter Dille wrote on the PlayStation blog:
It’s already been confirmed that we’ll be offering a video service for PS3 in a way that separates the service from others you’ve seen or used. Ultimately the goal of the PlayStation Network service will be to break through the overwhelming clutter of digital media to give you the TV, movies and gaming content you want.
Sony PlayStation 3 attempting to gain ground on the 360 and Nintendo’s Wii — more than 10.5 million PS3s have been sold worldwide since its launch in 2006. And the console’s Blu-ray technology is the hands-down winner when it comes to next-generation DVD viewing.
But can its leap into downloadable films and TV shows give Sony the boost it desperately needs?
In this episode of Digital Journal TV, editors Chris Hogg and David Silverberg discuss the pros and cons of Sony’s upcoming video download service. Learn how PS3’s digital media focus could shake up the industry, and find out how it stacks up to Apple’s iTunes and Xbox 360’s Live reputable offerings.
