Services

Reports: Sony, Viacom Near Deal on Internet TV

Sony Store
courtesy of Sony Corp.
Sony Corp. (NYSE: SNE) and Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB) have reached a preliminary agreement that would allow Sony to carry Viacom’s cable channels on Sony’s planned Internet TV service. The report in The Wall Street Journal attributes the story to “a person familiar with the matter.”

If such a deal is in fact struck it would be the first of its kind in what could quickly become a major revenue source for TV programmers as other companies with plans to enter the Internet TV business enter the bidding. Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC), Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG), and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) spring immediately to mind.

Viacom, which owns MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon, and other program producers like The Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS) and the broadcast networks have been unwilling to license their programming to these “over-the-top” services, fearing that they’ll undermine the lucrative deals they have with cable and satellite carriers.

Intel has said it wants to launch a service by the end of this year, and a WSJ source said that Sony is hoping to launch its service in the same time frame. Sony’s over-the-top service is expected to be available on the company’s new PlayStation 4 gaming console, which is due out in time for this year’s holiday shopping season.

The #1 Thing to Do Before You Claim Social Security (Sponsor)

Choosing the right (or wrong) time to claim Social Security can dramatically change your retirement. So, before making one of the biggest decisions of your financial life, it’s a smart idea to get an extra set of eyes on your complete financial situation.

A financial advisor can help you decide the right Social Security option for you and your family. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you.

Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you optimize your Social Security outcomes.

 

Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!

By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.

By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.