Sony's upcoming pay-TV service won't be the low-priced option that the company had hoped, according to this story from FierceCable. Like so many other companies that are trying to offer lower-priced TV packages that give customers the channels they want without forcing them to pay for the ones they don't, Sony hit roadblocks with the content suppliers during negotiations, resulting in a service that will reportedly cost about $80 per month.
From FierceCable
After getting "creamed" in negotiations with content suppliers, Sony will offer its new OTT-based pay-TV service at a consumer price of about $80 a month.
Citing unnamed sources, the New York Post says that Sony initially wanted to create a lower priced service featuring a more stripped-down programming package. However, the Japanese electronics conglomerate has faced the same uphill pressure the indigenous pay-TV industry has been grappling with in terms of program acquisition--entertainment conglomerates are still leveraging distribution of fringe channels along with their more popular networks.
The complete FierceCable story is available here.
Additional Resources
• Sony sets high price bar for Web TV from the New York Post.
• Sony ups its stake in online content as TV service launch looms at FierceCable.com.
