While Microsoft has made clear its TV and entertainment ambitions for the Xbox One, Sony has been somewhat quieter on that front. Now however, the company has signed a deal with Viacom to bring content such as MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon to PS4.
The plan will see Viacom networks offered on some of Sony's digital TV sets as well as PS4 but the effort was apparently led by Sony Computer Entertainment. It's all part of the company's plan to stream cable TV content and on-demand programming via the internet.
Sony is also reportedly in talkes with Disney, ESPN, Time Warner, HBO and CBS for additional content.
“While Sony would need to strike other programming deals to create a compelling alternative to conventional pay-TV services, even a single deal represents a big shift within the entertainment industry,” The Wall Street Journal notes.
“Big channel owners have been reluctant to license their programs to Internet-TV services for fear of undercutting the lucrative arrangements they have with cable, satellite and phone companies," the report adds.
At present, it's not currently clear if Sony is negotiating similar deals outside the U.S.
