Sony-Viacom Partnership Brings Cable TV To PlayStation 4

Sony has partnered with television programming behemoth Viacom with the intention to bring Internet-based television service to the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 by the end of the year.

According to the Wall Street Journal, cable channels like Comedy Central, MTV, and Nickelodeon – all of which are owned by Viacom – will be available through Sony’s devices as part of the deal. Plans are in place to allow subscribers access to programming on-demand, algorithmic recommendations (similar to NetFlix), and the ability to stream live Viacom channels.

This is just the latest development in the next-generation console race for living room supremacy. Sony and Microsoft aren’t just competing to have the most appealing video games, both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are aiming to meet every home entertainment need.

Thanks to a steady stream of policy reversals from Microsoft, the PS4 and X1 are starting to look increasingly similar. Despite Microsoft’s next-gen console being criticized for placing such an emphasis on its non-gaming capabilities prior to their conference at E3, it’s clear that Sony’s goals are quite similar.

If Sony and Microsoft start piling up these sort of alternatives to regular ol’ TV, how will cable companies like Time Warner and Comcast – who also provide internet services – respond? Perhaps the price of cable will decrease (yah!), or the price of internet will increase (boo!). Could the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 replace the cable box entirely? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.