Sony Network Entertainment International (SNEI) and Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) today unveiled PlayStation Vue, a new cloud-based TV service expected to be commercially launched during the first quarter of 2015. "Everyday TV is about to become extraordinary with our new cloud-based TV service, PlayStation Vue," said Andrew House, President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. and Group Executive in charge of the Network Entertainment Business. "PlayStation Vue reinvents the traditional viewing experience so your programming effortlessly finds you, enabling you to watch much more of what you want and search a lot less. PlayStation Vue brings the best of live TV and a robust catalog of the latest content, always keeping you connected to what's popular, new and trending. Today's announcement builds on the historic success of PlayStation 4 and demonstrates what our company is capable of when we embrace disruption and stay true to gamers."

PlayStation Vue leverages the power of the cloud to combine the live, on-demand, and catch-up TV content with a user interface that delivers personalization and simplicity.

PlayStation Vue connects viewers to the content they want to watch, helps them access their favorite shows and channels, and recommends movies and shows based on their viewing habits and what's trending.

A smart "Search" feature narrows down results quickly, and the "Explore" function allows viewers to filter the entire catalog of live and on-demand content by type of program, genre, ratings, popularity, length and more.

The service also makes the past three days of popular programming available without the need to schedule recordings.

Viewers can save their favorite shows to the cloud without storage restrictions or scheduling conflicts. Once viewers tag a favorite show, they will automatically have access to episodes of that show for 28 days so that they can watch on their own time.

The service is controlled through the PlayStation platform and controller.

During the invite-only beta, PlayStation Vue will initially offer around 75 channels per market from the following major programmers, including local broadcast stations. Sony has partnered CBS, Discovery Communications, Fox, NBCUniversal, Scripps Networks Interactive and Viacom to offer content.

Sony did not disclose pricing and packaging details but said that PlayStation Vue would "change the rules for how people pay for subscription TV." The company talked about fair and competitive price transparent with no hidden fees or charges, contract-free and paymants on a month-to-month basis without any penalty or customer service hassles for cancellation, and no equipment or installation charges.

PlayStation Vue will begin an invite only beta preview during November for select PlayStation 4 and PlayStation3 owners, with a phased rollout starting in New York followed later by Chicago, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. The service will also become available on iPad shortly thereafter, and later on more Sony and non-Sony devices.

PlayStation Vue will launch commercially during the first quarter of 2015.