Sony is shutting down its online-cable alternative, PlayStation Vue, citing the high cost of content and the difficulty of reaching deals with networks.

It did not release how many customers Vue had, but it was seen as a small player. Vue will shut down in January.

Sony started Vue in early 2015 as a cheaper version of cable TV delivered via the internet. It was a test case for a TV alternative, alongside Dish’s Sling TV and, later, a slew of copycats from DirecTV, Google, Hulu and others.

These services were initially heralded as the future of TV as more cable customers began cutting the cord. They offered popular TV networks for less than the cost of a cable package. Signing up and canceling were easy, with no need for installation.