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| Sony is testing its Video Pass streaming service |
Sony has confirmed that it is testing a video streaming service called Video Pass and is running a one-year trial in Poland that will allow subscribers to stream movies and TV shows.
This test is done when the Japanese electronics giant is looking for ways to expand subscriptions online.
Nick Maguire, Vice President of Global Subscription Services at Sony Interactive Entertainment, said on the Polish website Spider Web: We know very well that we have a large number of subscribers in Poland. They are proactive, ready to contribute and love to be on the video needs platform. For us, it is a perfect combination, and a perfect marketplace, as part of PlayStation Plus to provide testing services and understanding insights from our main users.
Maguire added that platforms like PS4 and PS5 have long-term hosting apps for VOD services like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, etc. Maguire added: The service will be a streaming app available for PS4 and PS5 devices. Valid PlayStation Plus subscribers are not required to pay any additional fees.
The Video Pass streaming service includes up to 15 Sony Pictures movies and TV shows. Additional movies and TV shows will be released every three months until the trial period ends.
Maguire said: The company decided to conduct a test in Poland on the specified database, indicating that the test will allow Sony to understand the most watched movies and TV shows, in addition to the frequency that PlayStation subscribers use the most to use the service.
However, the CEO of Sony did not comment on whether the service could be rolled out to other regions.
Video scrolling could be a new way for the company to add value to its non-gaming online subscription service.
Sony has no direct competitor to Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass. Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass is similar to the Netflix game subscription service and provides access to a vast library of digital games that you can download and play.
Sony has access to a huge library of movies and TV shows, including access to Japanese manga (animations) via Funimation and Crunchyroll. Sony acquired Japanese manga from AT&T in December for $ 1.175 billion.
With the PlayStation Store stopping selling and renting movies and TV shows on August 31, Video Pass could be another way for PlayStation owners to watch movies and shows through their gaming platform.