Sony to close UK online streaming platform

Sony has announced that its UK online streaming service, Crackle, will be closing next month.

According to a message on its website, the the ad-supported service is to come to an end from 1 April, just two years after its launch in 2012.

The message to users says: “We’d like to thank all those who have supported and enjoyed Crackle UK.

“As of 1 April 2014, Crackle’s UK service will no longer be operating.”

Crackle was home to a range of films and TV and original programming, including original comedy series, Jailbait. Sony has not yet confirmed the reason to shut the service down.

The news comes alongside Sony’s announcement that it is to be launching its first ever live-action unique series on the PlayStation console, as it looks to rival major players including Netflix, Amazon and Microsoft.