Sony, NBC ink content deal for PlayStation

Sony Corp's PlayStation 3 (PS3) game controller is pictured at a Sofmap electric store in Tokyo May 14, 2008.

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Sony Computer Entertainment America will make movies and television programs from NBC Universal available to buy or rent through Sony's PlayStation Network, the companies said on Tuesday.

Under the deal, films from Universal Studios Home Entertainment and programs from NBC will be offered for download through the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable in the United States.

With the addition of NBC Universal, Sony said its video service now features more than 1,300 movies and 4,500 TV episodes.

The content is being offered via the PlayStation Network, which has almost 9 million registered accounts in the U.S. and more than 20 million worldwide.

Universal will offer new movies such as "Milk" along with library titles like "The 40-Year-Old Virgin." NBC shows including "The Office" and "Heroes" will also be available. Prices will vary depending on the content and the format.

NBC Universal is 80 percent owned by General Electric Co and 20 percent by Vivendi.

(Reporting by Gabriel Madway; Editing by Tim Dobbyn)