Sony PlayStation Vue has become the second virtual MVPD service to sign an agreement with the National Cable Television Cooperative (NCTC), allowing the co-op’s more than 850 small cable operators to bundle the OTT service with broadband products.
Earlier at The Independent Show in Indianapolis, a trade show produced by the NCTC, FuboTV announced a similar deal with the organization.
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Under the agreement, NCTC members, which collectively serve more than 9 million customers in the U.S., will have the option of bundling PlayStation Vue. Sony didn’t specify if only certain Vue tiers would be available to NCTC members. FuboTV is specifically marketing its sports-themed Fubo Premier through NCTC members.
“Our members are looking for ways to offer more video choice to their customers, and this new agreement allows them to do that,” said Rich Fickle, NCTC’s president and CEO, in a statement. “NCTC understands the importance of pursuing new opportunities for the distribution of content, and we are excited to partner with such a strong brand.”
“This is a great opportunity for customers to experience PlayStation Vue’s innovative cloud-based TV streaming service through their NCTC member provider,” said Dwayne Benefield, VP and head of PlayStation Vue, SIEA. “PlayStation Vue offers an incredible value to users, with more than 100 popular live national and local channels, a powerful user interface, and the ability to purchase channels a la carte without a bundle.”
The vMPVD agreements are being carved out with the Kansas-based NCTC as many of the nonprofit’s member company’s downsize their commitment to video services, or abandon them altogether, due to rising program costs.