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Sony PlayStation Network takes on Netflix with its own TV shows

Sony is to take on Netflix, Amazon and the might of television itself with new original programmes on PSN.

Richard Trenholm Former Movie and TV Senior Editor
Richard Trenholm was CNET's film and TV editor, covering the big screen, small screen and streaming. A member of the Film Critic's Circle, he's covered technology and culture from London's tech scene to Europe's refugee camps to the Sundance film festival.
Expertise Films, TV, Movies, Television, Technology
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Richard Trenholm
2 min read

Sony is to take on Netflix, Amazon and the might of the television networks with new original programmes served up to your PS4 games console on the PlayStation Network.

Sony Pictures promises for PSN "a series of original shows ranging from comedy to reality to sports."

It's a smart move for Sony, which is in the unique position of creating entertainment end-to-end: that is, it makes movies like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 -- pictured above -- and it makes the tellies, Blu-ray players and games consoles you watch them on.

If new movies and TV shows produced by Sony make their debut on PSN, it's another potential reason to choose the PlayStation 4 over the Xbox One. Microsoft is pinning its hopes on the Xbox One's TV features, a gamble as those extra features have made it more expensive than the PS4.

The information was spotted by TheSixthAxis on a website that tells potential advertisers about Sony's services. "Sponsorship and product integration opportunities are available upon request," continues the listing, indicating Sony is open to product placement -- as recent James Bond movies have already made abundantly clear.

Amazon has created its own new shows appearing on Lovefilm after Netflix blazed a trail for original TV shows appearing online, including the Emmy Award-winning House of Cards and Orange is the New Black. Netflix's biggest original project yet is planned for 2015, when a whopping four live action TV shows based on Marvel characters will appear exclusively on Netflix.

One intriguing possibility thrown up by the PSN news is that Sony could turn popular games into TV programmes served directly to gamers, just as Marvel went round the TV establishment to produce its new shows.

Which games would you like to see turned into TV shows or movies? Is it a good thing to see original content on Netflix, LoveFilm and PSN, or does it just force you to miss out unless you pay for every service? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.