BBC broadcasts ‘PS3 failure’ report, Sony not happy

Tonight’s edition of the BBC’s Watchdog program has aired a report on the PlayStation 3’s alleged lack of reliability. Watchdog apparently received 155 complaints from viewers about the console, leading to tonight’s investigation into the so-called “yellow light of death.”

News of the impending broadcast came out earlier today, prompting Sony to release an impassioned press release, denying Watchdog‘s claims that Sony “refuses to fix” consoles that suffer from the dreaded yellow light. In a lengthy retort (the full version of which can be read here), Sony UK boss Ray Maguire harrumphed:

“From the correspondence to date, I have serious concerns as to the accuracy of these allegations and the likely tone of the Watchdog report. […] The information that you have provided suggests a fundamental misunderstanding of the technical issues and a mis-characterisation of SCEUK’s Out of Warranty repairs policy.”

Well, the program aired just a couple of hours ago (those in the UK can view the full programme here), and while Sony has yet to respond, its earlier statement contained an ominous message for the BBC:

“If the report is broadcast in what appears to be its current form, SCEUK will scrutinise its accuracy and will take all necessary steps to protect its reputation and that of the PS3.”

Having seen the show myself, I’d suggest Sony actually has a case here. The Watchdog report lacked credibility in my view, drawing conclusions based on very small samples of users.

Furthermore, a stunt on the show (in which Watchdog offered to repair PS3s for free outside Sony’s HQ, to show up Sony charging £128 per repair) backfired spectacularly, with four of the eleven systems no longer working after Watchdog‘s technicians had fiddled with them. Oops. I can hear Sony’s lawyers cracking their knuckles from here.

[Via GamesIndustry.biz]