Sony Launches Free Ad-Supported TV Service on PS5

Sony has launched Live TV on PS5, a free ad-supported streaming service giving all PlayStation 5 owners access to 100+ channels of television and movies. The platform operates on an ad-supported model similar to FAST services like Tubi, Roku, and Pluto TV.

Keith Le Goy, chairman of Sony Pictures TV, explained the reasoning behind the service to Variety. He noted that PS5 has 40-50 million highly engaged users who also enjoy movies and TV shows. Sony identified this audience as difficult for traditional linear TV to reach, yet attractive to advertisers.

"So if we can give that audience something that they're going to like in an environment that they are comfortable with, give our channel partners an audience that they are going to be going after and give their advertisers an audience that's valuable for them," Le Goy said. "That is one plus one equaling a lot more than two."

Le Goy emphasized Sony's unique advantage in combining its gaming and entertainment divisions. He highlighted the passion and engagement level of gamers as a key asset few other companies possess. The service aims to monetize through advertising while providing value to both content partners and advertisers by accessing this dedicated audience.

This marks Sony's return to offering television services on PlayStation after PlayStation Vue, a paid subscription service requiring at least $50 per month, shut down in 2020 as cord-cutting accelerated.