SCEA announces Qore, interactive subscription-based online programming

Today Sony announced the Qore, presented by the PlayStation Network. Qore is online interactive programming that covers the world of PlayStation on a monthly basis. Navigated by your PS3 controller, Qore will feature "exclusive multimedia news, developer interviews, in-depth game previews and behind-the-scene looks at the hottest PLAYSTATION games."

On the first Thursday of every month, a new Qore episode will be available for $2.99 on the PlayStation Network. Or, for the hardcore, you can nab an annual subscription for $24.99.

"Original content, community-related services and innovative products are a major focus for the PLAYSTATION Network this year and we are pleased to introduce Qore exclusively for our customers," said Peter Dille, senior vice president of Marketing and PLAYSTATION Network, SCEA. "Qore is the first step in providing original content dedicated to the PLAYSTATION community and evolving the network into a place where our customers can gather, share and discover new forms of entertainment."

So, why should you plunk down the cash for Qore? Sony promises "special access to game demos, betas, add-ons and other downloadable and game-related content." Also, new subscribers get Calling All Cars for free. 

The whole thing kicks off this Thursday, where new details on SOCOM:US. Navy SEALs Confrontation, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, Soul Calibur 4 and Secret Agent Clank will be revealed. There is also supposed to be an invitation to the SOCOM: Confrontation beta, as well as a few other surprises.

What do you think of this new original programming? Is this something you'd dig? Is this something you'd pay for?