Tech

Sony sets high price bar for Web TV

Sony’s upcoming Internet-delivered TV service will carry 100 channels and a surprisingly high price tag of as much as $80 a month, The Post has learned.

The Japanese media and electronics giant is set to launch the service before year’s end as a way to goose sales of its Web-connected TV sets during the crucial holiday season.

But the price is on par with that of a traditional cable and satellite programming package and is on the high side for a so-called over the top service.

One source told The Post that the price would be around the $80 mark, while a second person said, “We hear its going to be competitive with a traditional basic cable package at between $60 to $65.”

Analysts predicted that Sony’s streaming service and another from Dish Network would be designed to appeal to consumers interested in less expensive programming options and would charge closer to $30 a month.

Sony last month revealed a big deal with Viacom to carry 22 of its channels, including MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon. It has also held talks with Fox and Disney.

“They had huge ambitions of breaking up the bundle and being the champion of the consumer, but they’ve had no success in doing that and they’re licking their wounds,” said one source.

“They got creamed in negotiations.”

It is expected the new Web TV service will be made available over Sony’s PlayStation.