PS4 Launch Apps Include Netflix, Hulu Plus

PlayStation 4 owners will have 11 entertainment apps to download to their console on launch day, Sony confirmed today. These apps will give you access to a wide range of television shows, movies and sports events.

You don't need the PlayStation Plus premium subscription in order to access these apps. That's a great thing because the apps themselves require subscriptions or purchases:

  • Amazon Instant Video — Users can choose from over 150,000 titles to rent or purchase, including new release movies and in-season TV episodes.
  • Crackle — A part of Sony Pictures Television, Crackle is a freely accessible multi-platform television network delivering original series such as Emmy Award nominated Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, and hit movies and television programs in a variety of genres.
  • Crunchyroll — Watch the latest and best selection of Anime right from Japan such as Naruto Shippuden, Attack on Titan, Bleach and more up to one-hour after Japanese broadcast!
  • EPIX — Authenticated subscribers on the PS4 system can instantly access and stream more than 3,000 titles on-demand, including top blockbusters such as The Avengers and The Hunger Games in HD, classic Hollywood franchises, award-winning original documentaries plus music and comedy specials.
  • Hulu Plus — Hulu Plus offers unlimited instant streaming of current hit shows like Family Guy, The Simpsons, and South Park as well as original series including The Awesomes and The Wrong Mans.
  • NBA Game Time — Stay connected to Live out-of-market NBA game action on the PS4 system with NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband on an authenticated basis for subscribers. Get access to real time stats, complete scores, stats and schedules for every game, and video highlights and recaps.
  • Netflix — Netflix members can instantly watch a wide variety of TV shows and movies, including exclusive series such as House of Cards and Orange is the New Black, on the PS4 system.
  • NHL GameCenter LIVE — Instantly stream live out-of-market games in HD quality with your NHL GameCenter LIVE subscription.
  • Redbox Instant by Verizon — Subscribers can stream from a library of hit movies on the PS4 system and receive 4 DVD or Blu-Ray rental nights every month for new releases at the Redbox kiosk. Everyone can purchase and rent the latest movies on-demand.
  • VUDU — Watch the world’s largest selection of HD movies and TV shows, including thousands of blockbusters, Hollywood classics and indies. Stream new releases before they¹re available on DVD, or build a collection of favorites without ever paying for a subscription.
  • YuppTV — YuppTV offers over 150 Indian TV channels Live and on demand, including a selection of over 600 Movies to watch anytime, anywhere.

It's a strong list but it would be a lot better if it had NFL content or HBO Go, an on-demand service with that channel's shows and movies. Both are available on Xbox 360 and will be on Xbox One as well. Presumably Microsoft has some sort of exclusivity deal in place for both apps.

Being a cable TV whore, I'm also sad that the console doesn't have Showtime Anytime. That's probably as much Showtime's fault as Sony's, though. Showtime Anytime, another channel-specific on-demand service, is only available through mobile devices and select cable providers.

Pete Haas

Staff Writer at CinemaBlend.