Learn Playstation Vue Alternatives: Best Apps to Replace PS Vue

Playstation Vue Alternatives: Best Apps to Replace PS Vue

Last Updated: November 1, 2019

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The news of Sony’s PlayStation Vue shutting down shocked the streaming world this week. Ultimately, with the PS5 hitting the market next year, Sony wants to focus on its new video game system. The costs of running a separate streaming service apparently are too much for the technology giant.

PlayStation Vue logo copyright Sony.

Let’s take a look at the details of PlayStation Vue closing. We also look at a few PSVue alternatives to help your household cope with the change. There are many quality streaming services out there hoping for your subscription.

Is PlayStation Vue Shutting Down a Sign of Streaming Industry Consolidation?

Sony announced this week that the last day of operation for PlayStation Vue is January 30, 2020. One piece of good news is Sony is billing customers for the last time in December. So current subscribers essentially receive a free month of service in January.

Some technology pundits wonder if PSVue closing is a sign of an upcoming streaming industry consolidation. The number of PlayStation Vue subscribers ranged from 500,000 to 800,000 depending on the source. This ranked behind other services like Sling TV and YouTube TV.

Sony made a mistake by not offering synergies between PSVue and its gaming services like PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now. They’d likely get more Vue subscribers by offering a discount for users of both.

As Sony stated, given the competitive nature of the industry, they made a decision to focus on the PS5. The streaming market is only becoming more cluttered with Apple TV+, Disney+, and HBO Max all joining the fray. Thankfully, users looking for a new cable TV replacement enjoy many options.

The Best PlayStation Vue Alternatives

We recently published a streaming service buyers guide that featured PSVue and two other options. Both YouTube TV and Hulu Live TV are worthy replacements for your PlayStation Vue subscription.

YouTube TV offers essentially the same channel lineup as Vue at a similar monthly price. Its biggest selling point is a Cloud DVR with unlimited storage. You are able to keep programs for up to nine months.

Hulu + Live TV is another winner with similar pricing and lineup. You also get access to Hulu’s full library of content. Pay attention to see if Hulu’s upcoming bundle with ESPN+ and Disney+ adds the Live TV content at a higher price. If so, it’s probably the best deal in streaming.

Philo offers a great channel lineup for only $20 per month. One important caveat is the lack of sports and news channels, except for BBC World News. A host of on-demand content makes up for no Cloud DVR.

Finally, sports fans need to check out FuboTV. You get most of the sports channels as well as extra soccer content. There’s also a good array of news, entertainment, and lifestyle channels.

As always, be sure to perform regular speed tests to ensure your bandwidth can handle HD streaming. 5 Mbps remains the idea benchmark for HD video on one device. Remember, we still have the best Internet speed test in the business!

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Learn Playstation Vue Alternatives: Best Apps to Replace PS Vue

A Streaming Services Buyers Guide: PlayStation Vue, Hulu, YouTube TV

Last Updated: October 4, 2019

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Note: Since we published this article, Sony announced it was closing PlayStation Vue. Check out our other article detailing some suitable PS Vue alternatives.

With our ongoing series on the changing television world, it makes sense to publish a streaming services buyers guide. This time out, it’s a throwdown between PlayStation Vue, Hulu Live TV, and YouTube TV. Cordcutters note, all three offer enough channels to be considered replacements for your cable or TV service.

Our guide takes a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of all three. Note that the monthly price for the three is around $50. For our profiles of the individual services, click on the following links: PS Vue, Hulu Live TV, and YouTube TV.

The Best Collection of Streaming Channels?

PlayStation Vue, Hulu Live TV, and YouTube TV all offer a similar robust channel lineup. This means each serves as a valid replacement for your cable or satellite TV service. Any preference for one likely lies with the availability of specific channels or special perks.

PS Vue likely serves sports fans better than the rest, with the ESPN family, FS1 and FS2, NBCSN, and much more. Its inclusion of BeIN Sports is sure to attract soccer fans.

Ultimately, the quality of the channel line up is wash between the three streaming services. Note that all three include local channels. Check the website for each to see what’s available at your home.

Which Streaming Service has the Best Cloud DVR?

All three streaming services provide users with a Cloud-based DVR to store programming. Hulu Live TV requires an upgrade to receive the 200 hour storage of their enhanced DVR. Normally, users receive 50 hours.

YouTube TV takes things to another level, however. All subscribers receive a Cloud DVR with unlimited storage. You are able to keep recordings for up to nine months. It’s the major advantage of Google’s streaming service.

Streaming Device Support

All three services support nearly all the major streaming devices, such as Roku, Apple TV, and Chromecast. Expect the same support with most smart TVs. Of course, web-browser viewing on your desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone is also possible.

PlayStation Vue offers five simultaneous streams. This compares nicely to YouTube TV’s three, and Hulu Live TV’s two. Keep this in mind if you have a large family.

PlayStation Vue Service Summary

Monthly Price: Access $49.99. Core $54.99. Elite $64.99. Ultra $84.99.
Pros: Superior sports channel offerings. Five simultaneous streams.
Cons: Buggy app for the Roku. (This writer is currently feeling that pain.)

Hulu Live TV Service Summary

Monthly Price: $44.99
Pros: Cheaper price compared to the others. Access to Hulu’s library of movie and TV show content included.
Cons: Only two simultaneous streams. Cloud DVR provides less storage.

YouTube TV Service Summary

Monthly Price: $49.99
Pros: Cloud DVR boasts unlimited storage.
Cons: Google’s well-documented privacy issues.

Ultimately, all three of these streaming services offer similar lineups and features. YouTube TV’s Cloud DVR is a clear winner, but one of the other options might offer a specific channel you want. This is especially the case for sports fans considering PS Vue.

Hopefully, this streaming services buyers guide provides some food for thought before you make a final choice. Remember, you need Internet speed of at least 5 Mbps to stream HD content to one device. 4K content requires at least 25 Mbps. Make sure to perform regular speed tests to ensure your ISP keeps their promised service level.

In the future, expect additional buyers guides. Our goal is to cover budget offerings like Philo, videogame streaming, and music services. Of course, comparisons of non-cable replacements like Netflix, Apple TV+, and Disney+ are also planned. Stay tuned.

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Learn Playstation Vue Alternatives: Best Apps to Replace PS Vue

Is Hulu the Right Streaming Service for Your Household?

Last Updated: August 9, 2019

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When trying to pick the right streaming service for your household, options abound. If you are a movie buff, Netflix remains a great choice. In addition to movies, the service also produces its own content, like Orange is the New Black and Stranger Things.

On the other hand, Hulu offers network TV shows, but also provides movies and other content. While some network episodes are available after a delay, a Hulu Live TV subscription is also available.

The Hulu Logo. Copyright Hulu.

Majority-owned by Disney, the company recently announced a bundle including Hulu and ESPN+ with the upcoming Disney+ streaming service. The monthly price for all three is $12.99.

Needless to say, that’s a bundle worthy of your interest when available. For now, let’s dive into the Hulu’s details to see if subscribing makes sense for your family.

Hulu Subscription Plans Vary Greatly in Price

The basic Hulu plan costs only $5.99. You gain access to their full library of on-demand content with limited ads. These include full seasons of network series, movies, original shows, and children’s programming. You are also able to watch shows on a TV, computer, tablet, or smartphone no matter your location.

Add-ons to the basic plan include premium movie channels, like HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, and Starz. Additionally, the No Ads option removes commercials from your content.

The Hulu + Live TV plan competes with PlayStation Vue, Sling, and other cable or satellite service replacements. As such, it’s priced accordingly at $44.99 per month. It includes a typical array of popular news, sports, entertainment, and cooking channels. Local channels are also available in select locations.

This premium Hulu plan also gives you access to their full library of on-demand content. The package includes a Cloud-based DVR with 50 hours of recording. This adds value compared to other similar streaming services.

Like the basic service, Hulu Live TV’s add-ons include premium movie channels. A 200 hour Cloud DVR, and entertainment and Spanish channel packages are also available. Finally, the unlimited screens option lets you watch content on an unlimited number of devices at home. Three simultaneous screens are available when traveling. Without this add-on, you are limited to two devices at once.

How Much Internet Speed Do I Need to Stream Hulu?

At a bare minimum, you need an Internet speed of at least 5 Mbps to stream HD content from Hulu. This assumes only one device at a time accessing your Internet service. About half that speed is required for SD resolution.

Hulu does provide some 4K content on a limited number of devices. In this scenario, a download speed of at least 25 Mbps ensures streaming without buffering. Of course, faster speeds improve performance, especially with more than one device accessing the Internet.

Check out our article on optimizing home Internet speed for additional tips on improving streaming performance. Installing a mesh network or range extender also helps with devices located a good distance from your wireless router. It’s a smart approach for getting the most from your Hulu subscription.