While Sony Interactive Entertainment is most recognized for its market domination the past console generation with its PlayStation 4 which sold well over 100 million units in its seven year lifecycle, the firm did push other endeavors with initiatives involved with the video game system. For instance, the firm did offer PlayStation Vue – a television package which offered a list of channels that users pay a flat monthly fee for.
While remaining for majority of the PlayStation 4 lifespan, Sony Interactive Entertainment announced that PlayStation Vue will be relinquished by the end of January 2020. However, the ability to purchase/rent films & television remained on the PlayStation Store. Enough so as the feature carried onto the PlayStation 5 as well.
Howbeit, that will only be available until late summer according to the PlayStation company. In a new blog post made on Wednesday, Sony Interactive Entertainment announces the closing for movie and TV rentals & purchases is coming in late August.
At SIE, we strive to provide the best entertainment experience for PlayStation fans, and that means evolving our offerings as customer needs change. We’ve seen tremendous growth from PlayStation fans using subscription-based and ad-based entertainment streaming services on our consoles. With this shift in customer behavior, we have decided to no longer offer movie and TV purchases and rentals through PlayStation Store as of August 31, 2021.
When this change takes effect, users can still access movie and TV content they have purchased through PlayStation Store for on-demand playback on their PS4, PS5 and mobile devices. We thank our fans for their continued support, and we look forward to further enhancing the entertainment experience on PlayStation.
Vanessa Lee, Sony Interactive Entertainment Video Business Head
Unfortunate for PlayStation owners that might regular their entertainment directly through the PlayStation Store, perhaps this suggests a new pursuit on behalf of Sony Interactive Entertainment in the same realm. Already, President & CEO Jim Ryan mentions a new ambition to tackle Microsoft juggernaut Xbox Game Pass later in the coming future.
In regards to PlayStation’s relationship with film/television, there is a possibility PlayStation Now might be the answer to that. In a previous announcement back in July 2020, the game streaming service was shared to feature David Ayer’s “The Tax Collector” alongside a handful of other cable providers and streaming services. You can read the full report by heading here.
TV & movie purchases and rentals will be discontinued on the PlayStation Store starting August 31, 2021.
Are you upset with the direction of the PlayStation Store?
Source: PlayStation Blog
