PlayStation users were somewhat surprised after a leak seemingly pointed to a video service offered under PS Plus . Along with access to multiplayer games and free games each month, PS Plus seemed to be adding another benefit to its service.
The leaked logo for PlayStation Plus Video Pass was quickly removed from Sony’s Polish website, but the image on an official website all but confirmed the existence of a new video service.
That service was officially announced, but it looks like only some PS Plus users will have access to its library.
PLAYSTATION PLUS VIDEO PASS LAUNCHES IN POLAND
In an interview with Polish site Spider’s Web, Sony officially confirmed PlayStation Plus Video Pass, a new movie and television service under PlayStation Plus.
Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Global Services Vice President Nick Maguire noted that the service is a new benefit for PS Plus subscribers. He also said that PS Plus Video Pass is debuting only in Poland as a year-long test launch:
“Together with Sony Pictures Entertainment, we are launching a 12-month test benefit for the PS Plus service available in Poland, called PlayStation Plus Video Pass. This is a streaming application that PS Plus owners can download to PS4 and PS5 consoles from the PS Store, gaining access to high-quality video production, all as part of the current PS Plus program.”
Maguire didn’t offer too many specifics on why Poland was chosen as the country for the test but did mention that Polish PlayStation users enjoy Video On Demand services:
“I am very excited that we are introducing this test service in Poland. We know very well that we have a large base of players in Poland who stand out due to their commitment and activity in the network and social media. In addition, they like to use VoD platforms. For us, this is the perfect combination, the perfect market, to introduce a test service as part of the PS Plus program and see what our key users think about it.”
Maguire also said that subscribers of PS Plus Video Pass “will see new titles every three consecutive months.”
Polish PS Plus subscribers on PlayStation 4 can access the test service on the Movies and TV section of the console’s home screen. PlayStation 5 users can download the service via the Media tab.
When asked whether this service would affect the price of PS Plus, Maguire said it “does not involve any price changes:”
“I have no new information related to the prices and price changes of our services. I would like to emphasize that the PlayStation Plus Video Pass is part of the existing PS Plus subscription. Therefore, extending the PS Plus program for Polish players with a new type of benefit does not involve any price changes.”
PS Plus Video Pass offers movies like Marvel's Venom , Zombieland 2: Double Tap , Bloodshot , Jumanji: The Next Level, and Blade Runner 2049 . Its television lineup includes Community , Deadly Class, and Lost Girl .
It’s unclear whether this service will expand to other PS Plus subscribers in other countries.
A PLAYSTATION PLUS VIDEO SERVICE IN TESTING
The leak of PlayStation Plus Video Pass’s logo turned out to be true. However, only Polish PS Plus subscribers will get the chance to try out the new service for now. PlayStation seems to be treating this as a beta before a potential expanded launch to other markets. If user interaction during this test proves high, then it’s likely that PS Plus Video Pass will come to other regions.
Sony is undoubtedly leveraging the power of its Pictures division - which has produced financially successful big-budget franchises like Marvel's Venom and Jumanji - to bolster the lineup of PS Plus Video Pass. This is somewhat similar to how Warner Bros. offers its films on HBO Max, though Sony is clearly not launching its films day and date on PS Plus Video Pass. Unlike Warner Bros.’ relationship with HBO Max, Sony seems to be treating this service as a smaller benefit for PS Plus subscribers rather than a full-blown subscription service.
If PS Plus Video Pass eventually comes to other regions, fans can likely expect different lineups of movies and television shows. Streaming giants like Netflix offer catalogs of content for different markets based on the interests of those regions. PS Plus Video Pass will presumably follow this model, showing different titles depending on the user’s country.
PLAYSTATION Writer