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PlayStation Vue Review
PlayStation Vue was Sony’s live TV streaming service. It permanently shut down on January 30, 2020 (announcement). We maintain this page for historical reference. If you’re replacing Vue in 2025, the dominant vMVPDs are YouTube TV ($72.99/month; unlimited DVR; broad national sports and locals plan page), Hulu + Live TV ($76.99/month; includes Disney+ and ESPN+; unlimited DVR plan page), Fubo (sports-centric; Pro from $79.99; 1,000-hour DVR plans), DIRECTV via Internet (from $79.99; RSNs on Choice+ tiers; unlimited DVR plans), and Sling TV (Orange/Blue from $40; budget bundle plans). DVR policies differ: YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and DIRECTV via Internet treat “unlimited” recordings as typically retained for about nine months (YouTube TV 4K Plus & streams; Hulu DVR; DIRECTV DVR), while Fubo includes 1,000 hours that don’t auto-expire until you delete (Fubo DVR).
PlayStation Vue vs. Other Live TV Streaming Services
*Legacy table retained for historical context only (prices/lineups reflect the Vue era). 2025 snapshot: YouTube TV Base Plan $72.99/mo with unlimited DVR (recordings typically kept 9 months) and optional 4K Plus add-on for 4K and unlimited in‑home streams (source, streams/4K); Hulu + Live TV $76.99/mo including Disney+ and ESPN+ with unlimited DVR (9‑month retention; some fast‑forward limits on select content) (source, DVR); Fubo Pro $79.99/mo with 1,000‑hour Cloud DVR that doesn’t auto‑expire and select events in 4K (regional sports fees may apply) (plans, DVR, RSF); DIRECTV via Internet Entertainment $79.99/mo with unlimited DVR (recordings stored 9 months) and unlimited in‑home streams; RSNs available starting on Choice and higher in eligible markets (plans, DVR/streams, RSNs); Sling TV Orange or Blue $40/mo (or both $55/mo) with lighter channel sets and capped DVR (50 hours included; 200 hours with add‑on) (plans, DVR/streams). Notable sports caveats: Fubo does not carry TNT/TBS/truTV (impacts NBA on TNT/March Madness), while YouTube TV/Hulu + Live TV/DIRECTV via Internet include them in most markets (Fubo channels, YouTube TV networks, Hulu Live channels).
How We Evaluated PlayStation Vue
Historically, we benchmarked live TV services by channel quality and breadth using consumer preference data, including TiVo’s 2017 Q4 Trends Report (legacy reference). For current choices, rely on each provider’s official channel lists by ZIP code: YouTube TV’s network list (networks), Hulu + Live TV’s live channels (by market), Fubo’s lineup (sports-focused), and DIRECTV via Internet’s RSN page (RSNs and markets). Note: charts/images on this page reflect legacy data for Vue’s era and are shown for historical context only.
Beyond channels, modern differentiators include cloud DVR policies (typical nine‑month retention on “unlimited” DVR for YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and DIRECTV via Internet; Fubo’s 1,000 hours with no auto‑expiry), simultaneous streams (paths to unlimited at home on several services), multiview for live events, and 4K availability on select content (Hulu DVR; Fubo DVR; DIRECTV DVR/streams; YouTube TV 4K Plus). Treat the legacy visuals here as historical, not current pricing or lineups.
PlayStation Vue performed well across our historical metrics, especially for sports. In today’s market, most households start with YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV for broad coverage and unlimited DVR; sports‑heavy households often look at Fubo or DIRECTV via Internet for RSNs and deeper sports networks; budget seekers consider Sling’s lighter bundles. Alphabet publicly disclosed that YouTube TV surpassed 8 million subscribers (disclosure), underscoring vMVPD scale.
Legacy takeaways, updated for 2025:
- Unlimited DVR is common, but recordings on many services expire after ~9 months; Fubo’s 1,000 hours do not auto‑expire (Hulu, DIRECTV, Fubo)
- Sports coverage varies: Fubo lacks TNT/TBS/truTV; YouTube TV/Hulu + Live TV/DIRECTV via Internet include them in most markets (Fubo channels, YouTube TV networks, Hulu channels)
- Live UX has advanced: multiview and real‑time features around tentpole sports on supported devices (YouTube multiview, Peacock multiview)
- RSNs remain fragmented; DIRECTV via Internet is a primary option for in‑market Bally Sports and other RSNs; some RSNs sell standalone apps like the YES App (DIRECTV RSNs)
Extensive sports channels
Vue was known for comprehensive sports coverage. Today, no single vMVPD carries every game. For national sports, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and DIRECTV via Internet generally include ESPN and Fox Sports networks plus TNT/TBS/truTV (important for NBA on TNT and March Madness) (YouTube TV networks; Hulu channels; DIRECTV packages). Fubo carries most major sports networks but does not include TNT/TBS/truTV (details). Sling splits key sports across its lower-cost Orange (ESPN) and Blue (FS1, NFL Network) plans and includes TNT/TBS/truTV, with deeper sports via add-ons (lineup).
As of 2025, YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV offer the broadest mix of national sports channels; Fubo is sports‑first but lacks TNT/TBS/truTV; DIRECTV via Internet is the strongest option for in‑market RSNs. Always confirm by ZIP code.
Price expectations are higher than during the Vue era: mainstream base plans commonly list at $72.99–$79.99/month before taxes/fees (YouTube TV; Hulu + Live TV; Fubo; DIRECTV via Internet). If RSNs are included in your market, expect a separate regional sports fee on some services (e.g., Fubo’s RSF varies by market) (Fubo RSF).
Major national and conference networks (ESPN, FS1/FS2, CBSSN, BTN, SEC Network, ACC Network, NBA TV, MLB Network, NFL Network) are widely available across leading bundles, but exact availability depends on your plan and ZIP (YouTube TV networks; Hulu channels; Fubo channels). For events televised on TNT/TBS/truTV, you’ll need a service that carries those channels or consider streaming via the B/R Sports Add-on in the Max app for many TNT Sports events (Max B/R Sports).
Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) remain fragmented. DIRECTV via Internet (Choice tier and above) includes many RSNs, including in‑market Bally Sports, where available (DIRECTV RSNs). Some RSNs sell direct‑to‑consumer apps that can complement a bundle when carriage is missing (for example, the YES App). Unlike Vue’s notable out‑of‑market flexibility in its day, out‑of‑market RSN streaming is generally not available via vMVPDs today; you typically need league out‑of‑market packages or RSN apps within their home territory.
Core sports and sports‑news channels such as ESPN, FS1/FS2, and CBS Sports Network are present on most full bundles; verify your exact lineup by ZIP and plan. Coverage for NBA on TNT and March Madness depends on having TNT/TBS/truTV. Fubo’s absence of those networks impacts those events (Fubo channels; YouTube TV networks; Hulu channels).
If you prioritize international and domestic soccer coverage with frequent sports add‑ons and select 4K events, Fubo remains a strong option (channel guide).
Probably not worth the money if you don’t watch sports
For non‑sports households, lighter bundles can save money. Sling offers modular Orange/Blue plans at $40 each or $55 combined with optional add‑ons (pricing). Philo focuses on entertainment/lifestyle (about 70+ channels) for $28/month with unlimited DVR kept up to one year, but no major sports or local broadcast stations (Philo). Full bundles like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV cost more but include robust locals, news, and unlimited DVR (YouTube TV; Hulu + Live TV).
Hulu + Live TV commonly lists at $76.99/month (includes Disney+ and ESPN+) with unlimited DVR (recordings generally retained for up to nine months; some network content may limit fast‑forwarding) (plans; DVR). As always, confirm specific channels and RSNs by ZIP.
Easy to navigate
When we tested PlayStation Vue before shutdown, its cable‑like guide was straightforward. Modern live TV apps build on that familiarity and add streaming‑native enhancements. For example, YouTube TV expanded multiview, Key Plays, and real‑time stats for NFL Sunday Ticket on supported devices (feature updates), and Peacock deployed multiview and richer navigation for major live events like the Olympics (Peacock features). While it doesn’t “spark joy,” these upgrades make it easier to follow concurrent games and big tentpoles.
PlayStation Vue preserved the feel of surfing cable TV, with one twist: its guide scrolled channels horizontally instead of vertically (a legacy design quirk).
That horizontal channel scroll was initially disorienting but useful once learned, showing more upcoming programs per channel. Consider it a historical note—today’s apps emphasize multiview, improved recommendations, and real‑time context for live sports rather than guide layout alone.
Vue’s on‑demand flags and “start over” support reduced FOMO on missed programs. Today, unlimited or large cloud DVRs and catch‑up features are standard, with common retention of about nine months on YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and DIRECTV via Internet (Hulu DVR; DIRECTV DVR), and 1,000 hours with no auto‑expiry on Fubo (Fubo DVR). For TNT Sports events (NBA, NHL, MLB, select soccer, March Madness games airing on TNT/TBS/truTV), Max’s B/R Sports Add-on offers another path without a full bundle (Max B/R Sports).
Profiles and favorites—one of Vue’s most useful touches—are now table stakes across leading services, and they pair with multiple simultaneous streams so families can watch different channels at once.
Voice assistant integration is common: basic play/pause/rewind and search across Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri are supported by most modern apps, with app‑specific limits. You’ll find these controls on mainstream streaming devices and smart TVs; verify device compatibility on provider sites.
Generous extras
Vue’s 28‑day “unlimited” DVR was generous for its time. In 2025, top services standardize on robust cloud DVRs: YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV include unlimited DVR with recordings typically retained up to nine months (YouTube TV 4K Plus & streams; Hulu DVR), and DIRECTV via Internet includes unlimited DVR with nine‑month retention (DIRECTV DVR). Fubo includes 1,000 hours that do not auto‑expire until you delete them (Fubo DVR). Sling remains the budget outlier with smaller included DVR and a paid upgrade (Sling DVR).
Simultaneous streams: Vue allowed five. Today, YouTube TV includes three streams (add 4K Plus for unlimited at home) (details); DIRECTV via Internet offers unlimited in‑home and up to three out‑of‑home streams (policy); Fubo’s current plans allow many in‑home streams with limits away from home (Fubo streams); Sling is more restrictive (1 on Orange; 3 on Blue; up to 4 combined) (Sling).
Compatible with most devices
Vue supported a broad range of devices (with exceptions for non‑PlayStation consoles). Modern vMVPDs cover most smart TVs, streaming boxes, mobile devices, and browsers, with select 4K playback on supported devices and live multiview features available on specific platforms (YouTube TV; Hulu + Live TV; Fubo; DIRECTV via Internet). Always confirm device support and 4K/multiview availability on the provider’s site before switching.
The Bottom Line
PlayStation Vue is gone and not coming back (details). To replace it in 2025, list your must‑have locals, RSNs, and national sports channels; check ZIP‑code lineups; and compare true monthly cost (base price plus any regional sports fee). Broad, easy picks: YouTube TV ($72.99) or Hulu + Live TV ($76.99). If you need in‑market RSNs (e.g., Bally Sports), start with DIRECTV via Internet (Choice+); Fubo is a strong sports‑first option but lacks TNT/TBS/truTV. Budget seekers should consider Sling. Also note that marquee rights have shifted since Vue’s era—NFL Sunday Ticket now lives on YouTube TV (YouTube), some tentpole games stream exclusively (e.g., Peacock’s NFL Wild Card) (record), and many TNT Sports events stream on Max via the B/R Sports Add‑on (Max).
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