Grounded Reason

Revolution Through Tech Evolution

You are here: Home / Reviews and Guides / Reviews / Streaming Services / Replace Cable with PlayStation Vue

Disclosure: Grounded Reason is supported by a small commission for purchases made through some product links on this website. I do not accept compensation from companies attempting to sway my review of products.

Replace Cable with PlayStation Vue

Published By 54 Comments

playstation vue Updated: It seems PlayStation raised the prices of all their packages by $10 each. They offered no warning when doing so.

The Sony PlayStation Vue was announced last March as a service that would allow subscribers to stream many cable networks over the internet without requiring a cable TV subscription. Due to the service originally costing around $50  per month, having limited release, and requiring the need of a Sony PlayStation 3 or 4, I haven’t really seen it as a viable cord cutting solution.

As of March 14th, 2016, their Vue and my view have drastically changed.

What’s New with PlayStation Vue

While Sony has greatly improved it’s PlayStation Vue over the last year, the biggest changes were announced this week. Namely, that the service is going into wide release and will offer a package only costing subscribers $30 per month.

Since its initial pilot, the Vue service is also available on more devices than just the PlayStation 3 and 4. Sony now offers Vue on multiple platforms, the most accessible devices being the Roku and Amazon Fire TV.  Simply download the PlayStation Vue app to your Fire TV, start the app, and log in with your PlayStation Vue credentials.

What You Need To Know About PlayStation Vue

Vue is a service designed to replace cable TV. The service delivers various channels live and on demand. It even lets you record shows in a “Cloud DVR” and view shows on multiple TVs around the house from one account. With packages starting at $39.99 with no box rental fee, it’s priced a bit on the high side.

The Catch

While PlayStation Vue is being nationally rolled out in 203 markets, the new markets will only have access to the new “Slim” packages. These packages will only offer “on-demand” access for NBC, ABC, and Fox. (They are planning to add CBS soon.) Shows should be available the next day after they air.

Only the original markets of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco and Miami will have live access to ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC. However, the price for that package is $40. These original markets will not have access to the new Slim bundles.

Aside from pricing and the live local networks, most other aspects are the same. All other networks can be watched live and Vue’s cloud DVR lets you record any shows you would like much like a cable provider’s DVR service.

PlayStation Vue Devices

PlayStation Vue is available on  PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4, Roku, NvidiaShield, Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick. The service is also accessible on the Vue mobile app on Google Chromecast, iPad and iPhone.

PlayStation Vue Channels

Access  Bundle:  $39.99 per month will provide you with ABC On Demand, Fox On Demand, NBC On Demand, AMC, Animal Planet, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CNBC, CNN, Destination America, Discovery, Discovery Family, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, DIY Network, E!, ESPN, ESPN2, Esquire, Food Network, Fox Business, Fox News, Freeform, FS1, FS2, FX, FXX, HGTV, HLN, ID, MSNBC, National Geographic, NBCSN, Own, Oxygen, Pop, Science, Syfy, TBS, TLC, TNT, Travel, TruTV, USA, and WE.

Core Slim Bundle:  $44.99 per month will give you everything in “Access Slim” plus beIN Sports, BTN (Big 10 Network), CSN, CSN Plus, ESPN News, ESPN U, Golf Channel, SEC Network, Sundance TV, Comcast Network, and NFL Network. You can also purchase NFL RedZone Season pass for $39.99 for the entire season.

There is also an Elite Slim bundle priced at $54.99 a month that offers over 100 channels, but I think that’s getting a little too far outside the spirit cord cutting. I won’t even get into the Ultra package at $74.99.

There are also standalone channels available like Showtime,  Fox Soccer plus, Machinima, and Epix Hits.

Signing Up for PlayStation Vue

You can check if service is available in your area on the PlayStation Vue website. If it is and you want to take advantage of the content Vue has to offer, you will need a supported device. Obviously, you don’t need to worry about this if you have a PlayStation 3 or 4. Otherwise, I recommend getting a Roku or Amazon Fire TV and using the Vue App.

All that is left is signing up for PlayStation Vue and picking the bundle you want.

If this article didn't answer your specific question, check out the Cord Cutting Guide. It provides links to the most important articles in our over 200 pages of content to help you ditch pay TV.

For tips and tricks on cutting the cord and other tech topics follow Dennis on Twitter . You can also join the conversation on our Facebook Page

.

If you enjoyed this article, please subscribe in the sidebar to the right and we will notify you when new articles are published. If you are using a mobile device, click subscribe to Grounded Reason to get to the sign-up.

Comments

  1. Playstation Vue now supports web browsers. I believe the list of channels on sling vs vue is out of date. Love your site for comparing all aspects of cord cutting.

    Reply

  3. Wow this is a great site! I too want to cut the cord. I currently watch local broadcast channels plus a few cable channels such as CNBC, CNN, AMC, BET, HISTORY, OWN , FOODNETWORK and HGTV. I’m also using Roku. My concern is finding a way to watch without having to buy app add-ons or subscribe to individual channels that would cost just as much as cable, not to mention the needed antenna for local channels. I’ve considered Droidstreamtv box but it sounds too good to be true and unsure of its effectiveness. Would appreciate your thoughts and suggestions.

    Reply

    • Stay away from android boxes that promise the world. They typically scrape pirated content off the web. I recommend trying one of Sling TV, VUE, or DirecTV NOW. They offer free trials so you can experiment with all of them and keep the one you want.

  4. My son and I recently cut the cord from out cable to Playstation Vue. Absolutely love it, haven’t had any troubles. I have a Roku tv and my son watches his through his Playstation 4. I didn’t know anything about a cloud DVR. How do you get this?

    Reply

    • You need to add a show to “My Shows” and it should record them. Be aware that due to licensing not all shows are eligible. You would need to check with Sony to see which ones.

  5. I have two questions please: 1) question re Playstation VUE streaming service. Does it offer next day viewing for CURRENT seasons/shows? Or is it like all of the other streaming services, that offer “some” shows next day viewing or offers maybe 7 out of 15 of a seasons shows for viewing?

    2) Does the HISTORY channel offer a streaming service for just the shows it carries or is the only way to get the History channel is thru Hulu or Sling TV?

    Thank you for any info you can provide—I love your site–lots of great info!

    Reply

    • VUE is live so it’s like having normal cable for those channels. They also have a cloud DVR so you can record the shows you miss. It won’t give you the full back catalog though. History channels unfortunately doesn’t offer a direct streaming service yet.

      Thanks for love Lori. Feedback like that really makes my day.

  6. Dennis – one comment I read in the review about Sling is lack of surfing capability, we do a lot of that, switching back and forth…how is that on PS Vue? also what more can you tell me about the IP issue, I was leaning towards cutting the cord with cable and going to Vue, but now leery from notes on your site. Vue has more channels we watch than Sling! also, is the Indianapolis area “live” with the networks on Vue (“the catch”)?
    Thank you

    Reply

    • If you aren’t shutting your router on an off it shouldn’t matter. It really only affects people that have there IP address changed often. They offer a free trial, so you can give them a shot and see if will work for you.

  7. Will I be able to watch The Walking Dead tonight with the access slim package at 29.99? Or should I cancel and get Sling? Or Do I need the package with on demand?
    Thank you!

    Reply

  8. Don’t know if this is related to the ‘IP issue’ or not, but I’m about to cancel my Vue trial subscription because of it. Sony defines your ‘home’ location at the beginning, and expects you to be there. I spend part of the year in the north and part in the south, and have been able to use Sling in either place. Not so with Vue: You can ‘move’ once and then no more. So when I come back in the spring, I’d have to cancel and resubscribe? I know they have a mobile service, but I want to watch on the TV, not my phone or some rigged up display. Couple this with the IP issue, and it’s too much hassle. Am I missing something?

    These reviews and podcasts are great – have taught me a lot and saved me thousands. Thanks, Dennis.

    Reply

    • Update to my previous comment / question: I decided that the ‘problem’ with moving wasn’t that significant. There seems to be more content for me on Vue, and if I have to move it to AZ once a year and then resubscribe when I return to the frozen north, it’s no big deal. So, sorry, Sling, for now it’s Vue. If I wanted to use it in more than 2 locations, or moved frequently between the two sites, it wouldn’t work and I’d stick with Sling.

  9. We currently have a $180 cable bill, and started free trials with both Sling and Playstation Vue; because we want to keep Disney Jr, Nick Jr, and other channels – but honestly get most of what we need from Netflix anyway.

    We found Playstation Vue to be much better so far. To get full features, like creating multiple profiles you’ll need a Fire TV (over a Roku) – or a PS3 or PS4. These can be used in any device, but only the full interfaces allow them to be created. We bought a Fire TV for an extra room because of this.

    Why Vue? With Sling to get all the channels we wanted it was looking like $55+, and Sling has no DVR functionality – its hit and miss what you can stream and on what channels. With Vue, for just $30, we get Disney and Fox Sports and others, with full DVR features for all channels. It just easily won hands down for our family.

    We’re literally still in that trial period, but we put an antenna on order, and will be canceling cable very shortly. We’ll also be canceling the Sling free trial.

    I’m a little scared about some of the IP issue I’m reading about in these comments, but I feel comfortable knowing that it’s only a month to month billed service with no contracts. So, PlayStation Vue has already won my service, and now it’ll be only there’s to loose. But we’re hopeful.

    Reply

  11. Dennis, I just read your latest post re the “Smart DNS Proxy”, but need to read it again more carefully. Two things come to mind:
    1) This seems to be an answer to the USTVNOW channel (where you need to be outside the US) – altho I have not tried this to see if it works;
    2) Do you think this might in any way help with those of us that are “Plagued” with the PS Vue IP Address problem (in which we are blocked from logging in ecause of the IP Address issue).

    Thanks

    Reply

  12. Dennis I switched from Sling to Vue and am finding Vue a much better solution and worth the slightly extra cost. Vue advantages are the cloud DVR feature, the ABC/NBC/ Fox on demand channels andthe ability to access live steams of many traditional cable channels using Vue account information on numerous devices including Roku. Steaming is way more reliable than Sling. Really enjoy your blog keep up the great work.

    Reply

    • Good to hear. Thanks for reading. Have you had any issues with your IP address changing? It’s one of the reasons I’ve been hesitant to recommend the VUE service. Some users report getting locked out for days when their ISP gives their modem a new IP address.

  13. We’ve had Playstation Vue and Roku 3 along with a Mohu Leaf 50 HDTV antenna (for local channels) for about a month now and absolutely love the service we get. Our cable company gives us a static IP as long as we use their modem. I have 2 Netgear R6250 AC1600 routers, one in front of the house and one in back. Also have a Netgear WNR3500Lv2 N300 router with DD-WRT as a wireless bridge that I use for the PS3 and Roku 3. The only issue I’ve experienced from the beginning is the Playstation Vue guide jumping around when scrolling through it, but solved the problem by pressing pause or stop then accessing the guide. If you use pause you only have 2 minutes before the channel you are on starts playing again then the guide jumps around. At first it was a pain in the butt but now it just comes natural to press stop then scroll through the guide.

    Reply

    • Sounds like you have a great setup going. PlayStation Vue is a really nice solution. I’m shocked they haven’t figured out this dynamic IP address issue yet.

  14. Has anyone had any late breaking experience with the PS Vue sign up/log in process? I tried unsucessfully for several days about two weeks ago. I continually got the “1014” error and could not log in. The phone CSR tried for about an hour, resetting stuff, etc. – but finally gave up.

    Reply

    • I have not heard anything yet. This is horrible. Sorry that you are currently stuck. I’ll keep the disclaimer on my article until the issue is resolved.

  16. Cut the cord with PlayStation Vue and the Fire TV devices. It was great for about 2 weeks, the stopped working. Turns out if your ISP resets your IP address Sony locks you out. 36 hours later, they still haven’t unlocked my service….

    I would not recommend. Back to cable for me ( and out $300 worth of Fire TV devices)

    Reply

    • Surely there must be a way around this????
      Denis? BTW Dennis thanks for all your info and work!
      I was on the verge of going with Vue but if this is what happens I most certainly will not!

      Anyone know the answere?

    • Posted reply, but it has been removed. My question is if this is something to worry about? I was considering PS Vue to replace Dish, but have seen other comments like this.

      To the best of my knowledge, my IP address is stable, and I do not know what circumstance would make it change, but seems to me this question needs answering.
      So what would make AT&T change my IP Address? And if the account is blocked because they did, how long should it take to “fix” the problem and un-block the account?

      I have the Amazon Fire Stick, but will buy the Fire box if I proceed with PS Vue and use the Stick on another TV.

      Thanks

      Thanks

    • AT&T may provide you with a static IP. However, most providers use DHCP which updates the IP every so often, typically after a router restart. If they do change the IP and Sony Blocks it, you would have to call Sony support to get it fixed. I’m not sure how long that would take.

  17. I’ve had Playstation Vue for a week and a half playing off of a Amazon Fire Stick, and love it. I officially cut the cord. Only issue is no MASN in DC. Hope they add it, since they have all of the local comcast sports channels.

    I’m also using my Roku on the same TV for NHL package, and a higher def signal for MLB.TV.

    This was the first sports weekend without a cable box, and made it through fine without missing anything.

    Reply

  18. I recently bought 3 Fire TV sticks. I subscribed to the Playstation Vue on one tv. Am I understanding that I can stream to other Fire sticks in my home under the same account? If so, how do I do that and do I pay per stick or just the one time per month?

    Reply

    • Here is the answer from Vue’s FAQ

      “A single PlayStation™Vue account can simultaneously stream PlayStation™Vue on up to one PS4 console and one PS3 console in the same home (Note: at this time, you cannot stream on two PS4 consoles or two PS3 consoles at any given time).
      Additionally, you can use PlayStation™Vue Mobile on iOS devices, or PlayStation™Vue on Fire TV devices for additional simultaneous streams, with up to five total devices supported at once.”

  19. Hi! great blog! We have multiple tvs. Only one in lr is flat screen and I have a firestick for that tv. We have uverse for tv and internet. I would like to keep att internet but drop tv services. 3 of our tvs are older big box tvs. Would I have to replace the older tvs? Can you use one acct for watching all the tvs at the same time like cable?

    Reply

    • Most services will let you use multiple streams on one account. Sling TV is the only one I know of that doesn’t at the moment. However, they have stated they are looking into changing that. As for the older TVs if you want to use an antenna you would need to make sure the TV takes a digital signal, but streaming should be okay as long as you have something like a Roku 1 that uses that Read, Yellow, White AV cables.

  20. I’m a fan of this blog. In the process of cutting the cord. I have one 1080 HD regular flat screen TV and a 1080 HD Internet TV. I’m going with Vue, and Hulu +. On my internet TV, I have Amazon, Vue and Netflix apps already installed.

    My question: what hardware will I need to enjoy my new services – I don’t want to ‘over buy’ equipment.

    Thank you.

    Reply

  21. Am I reading correctly in that you can only watch on one TV with PS Vue through a PS3/4? If so is there a way to watch on multiple TV’s at the same time?

    Reply

  22. Love your information
    Still debating cutting the cord but I have not found a way to get HGTV
    My wife has this a s a requirement before I cut the cord and buy an antenna.
    Any suggestions?

    Reply

  23. The Core Slim package ($34.99/mo) lists Fox Sports Networks as one of the channels. Wonder if this is an option for local MLB games?

    Reply

  24. WE enjoy the Hallmark channel, Lifetime, a&E , and Fox News, also we record the Waltons, Little House, Frazier, ect.. Would love to have Chicago Hope. We watch Abc News and Fox News local also. I love to watch the local shows on ABC and we love to watch Wheel of Fortune on ABC nightly. What can we get that will afford these stations, also my husband loves football and Nascar races. What can we get that will supply all these? Cable is breaking us. Please help!!

    Reply

    • I would give the Vue a shot. It sounds like it provide a lot of what you watch. The best part of all these services is they don’t lock you into a contract, so you can experiment and see if it works.

  25. We live in a rural area of Birmingham, ALabama. I would really like this since Direct TV has had us by the throat for years. Can we get this and if so what do we need to connect?

    Reply

  26. Well, this was great news! I now have a use for our little-used Christmas PS4… I signed up for Vue last evening and it’s terrific especially since I have trouble keeping a good signal from my inside antenna. That’s my next challenge ;-)

    Reply

  27. PlayStation View, like regular cable seems to have an abundance of channels that I wouldn’t watch, yet would have to pay for. In addition they offer the major networks which most people can get with a good antenna.
    I do like the Cloud storage though. Keep up the good work Dennis.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *