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After a Record Breaking State of Play in June, the Latest Edition Did Disappointing Numbers
Sony's latest State of Play livestream drew far smaller audiences than June's record-breaking edition, with viewer numbers dropping sharply despite YouTube recently changing its algorithm in a way that should have inflated view counts. The disappointing turnout, combined with largely negative viewer feedback, suggests the goodwill Sony had built up after June's well-received show has been undermined by this less consistent follow-up.
The June State of Play attracted over 5.1 million views and peaked at three million concurrent viewers, making it the second most-watched PlayStation livestream ever. By contrast, the latest edition had managed just 2.9 million views 24 hours after airing and peaked at only 982,000 concurrent viewers, according to analytics firm Streams Charts. Factors cited include the unusually early US broadcast time (6am PT, to suit Japanese audiences) and a shorter promotional lead-in, though 59% of Push Square readers still rated the show "Poor" or worse.
In short
- Sony's newest State of Play drew far fewer viewers than June's record edition
- Peak concurrent viewers fell from 3 million to under 1 million
- 59% of readers rated the show "Poor" or worse
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The sharp drop in viewers and mostly negative audience ratings suggest Sony’s latest show failed to sustain the enthusiasm generated by June’s stronger edition. The early US broadcast and shorter promotional lead-in may explain some of the decline, but the weaker turnout despite a platform change expected to lift view counts supports the view that the presentation and its reception were disappointing.
The case against
Viewing figures are not a complete measure of a show’s quality or lasting impact, and this edition aired at an unusually early hour for US audiences with less time to promote it. Its lower live audience and the survey response therefore may reflect scheduling and reach as much as weaker content or lost goodwill; the figures alone do not establish that Sony’s reputation has been undermined.
Explained simply
State of Play is Sony’s livestream for announcing and showing upcoming PlayStation games. Sony uses these broadcasts to reach players around the world, while game studios use them to introduce titles and share updates.
The size of an audience and viewers’ reactions can offer clues about how well a broadcast has reached and engaged players. Viewing figures may also be affected by practical details such as when the show airs and how far in advance it is promoted.