PlayStation Vue is targeting sports fans with the addition of NFL Network

By Kris Wouk Published July 26, 2016

Cutting the cord is easier than ever for a lot of people, but for sports fans the options can be somewhat more limited. For football fans, however, the transition away from traditional pay TV is about to get a little bit easier.

Both the NFL Network and NFL RedZone are coming soon to Sony’s PlayStation Vue internet TV service, the company announced in a blog post on Monday. It isn’t yet clear if the channels will be available as part of an existing programming package or as a separate add-on, but until now most of the service’s sports channels have been available in the Elite package, which starts at $45 per month.

Recommended Videos

No official date has been set for when the plans will be available, but the blog post states that the channels will arrive in time for the regular NFL season this fall. Subscribers with the channels will not only be able to view them via PS Vue, but also through the NFL Mobile app for Windows, iOS, and Android, as well as the NFL.com website.

The addition of the NFL Network will bring not only Thursday Night Football, but NFL GameDay Morning, A Football Life, and Timeline, as well as news and other NFL coverage. Meanwhile, RedZone offers game-changing plays and highlights from across the league on Sunday afternoons.

This is a big grab for Sony, as Sling TV doesn’t offer either channel, nor does its parent company, Dish Network. In June, Dish customers lost access to the NFL Network and RedZone when negotiations between Dish and the NFL broke down. So far, the two parties haven’t been able to agree on terms, leaving little hope for Sling TV customers with football season fast approaching.

One area where both PlayStation Vue and Sling TV fall short is local programming, with limited options for both services. Earlier this month, Sony added CBS local broadcast stations in nine new cities: Austin, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Salt Lake City; San Diego; and West Palm Beach, Florida.

Former Contributor

Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…

Topics

Audio / Video

Google shuts down massive botnet running on 1.3 million Android TV boxes

Google says the Chinese manufacturer Videostrong Technology deliberately infected its devices and sold access to cybercriminals.

Videostrong GoogleTV box

Malware infecting Android devices isn't new, but Google's recent report is grim and concerning. The search giant has taken down a massive botnet that turned over 1.3 million Android TV set-top boxes into tools for cybercriminals. Unlike the usual attacks, where users end up downloading some shady apps from the internet, the malware here was planted inside the devices by the manufacturer itself.

According to the Google Threat Intelligence Group, the company behind it is China-based Videostrong Technology. Google has now cut ties with the manufacturer and banned it from building or supplying software for certified Android devices.

Audio / Video

Audio-Technica’s new wireless StreamSet headset promises studio sound without the cables

Finally, a wireless headset that takes your voice seriously.

Audio technica new headset.

I've lost count of wireless headsets that sound great until the microphone switches on. That is exactly why a cord-free streaming headset from a studio-audio brand earns my attention (with a pinch of skepticism). Audio-Technica wants to change my mind, and I am all up for it.

The company has announced the "ATH-M50xSTS-WL," its first wireless headset in the StreamSet line. What's unique, however, is how the brand has combined the studio sound of its ATH-M50x monitor headphones with microphone tech from its 20 Series studio mics (via Audio-Technica).

Audio / Video

Samsung’s new clip-on earbuds are coming to the US, and they’re not cheap

You can listen to music without blocking out the world around you, but Samsung is charging a premium for the convenience.

Samsung Galaxy Buds On earbuds

Earlier this month, Samsung unveiled its first clip-on earbuds called the Galaxy Buds On. Initially, it announced pricing and availability details only for Korea, but now the brand has revealed them for the US market as well. As per Samsung, the Galaxy Buds On will cost $229 and will be available to buy in early November. Only one color option, Black, will be available initially.

That is quite a steep price, considering the flagship Galaxy Buds 4 Pro go for $250. The Buds On also has no active noise cancellation, weaker bass response, and lower dust and water resistance. All that said, the use case is fundamentally different. While you might choose the Buds 4 Pro as the best daily drivers for your Galaxy smartphone, the Buds On keep your ear canals open, letting you listen to music while staying aware of traffic, conversations, and everything else happening around you. I can see the appeal for people who find traditional earbuds uncomfortable, or those who regularly listen to music while running or commuting.