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Playstation Vue (Streaming TV Service) Launches Today Starting at $49.99

spwolf

Member
I think the price point is actually pretty good. It's got all the channels I want, I could cut out my Hulu Plus @ $15.00 a month, and DVR is included for 28 days of storage w/ no hardware fees.

3 day rewind, 28 day record and catchup service integration is the best part of view... It is far better integration for less money.
 

Mrbob

Member
I didn't realize Sling is 20 dollars per stream. Yeah, no thanks.

The fact is NONE of these services work for me. My ideal setup would be local channels, sports channels (ESPN, NFL, NBCSN and regional sports networks) and maybe about 10-12 additional cable channels.

I'm sure many others are in the same boat - these services are a good start but do not completely meet the needs of any one user...

That's the problem, everyone wants to bundle channels together. Once all the channels get added to these streaming services I don't expect them to be much cheaper than cable. You cut the cord, congrats. Now pay the same price. These companies still want their money.
 
Lol Saving $100+ per month by cutting the cord so I dont waste money paying for 250 bullshit channels I never watch is now considered "militant"? Are you for real?

If you pay 100 dollars a month for CABLE TV then you are an idiot.
I pay 55 and have HBO, Showtime, Encore and every basic channel.
 

DavidDesu

Member
Didn't Sony start out with terrible PlayStation Now prices and now they're a bit more reasonable..? Maybe they'll do the same here if it doesn't gain traction. I like the idea of how it operates, sounds like a good service. I'm in the UK so whatever they offer here may be really good (or really bad) vs what's being offered in the US. Hopefully the latter.
 
I don't see how people who choose to jump on this are somehow "suckers". Would saving over $100 a month and $1200 a year be classified as being a sucker?

Not at all. I just made the same argument in another post. I'm a cable cutter myself. My point is this package still doesn't offer much for $50 a month. Certainly its subjective, so a package you may think is worth this price may not appeal to me. I'm simply saying this package at this price isn't going to catch on.
 

Exile20

Member
I saw this on the Google app store.

Start with the Best of Live TV package for just $20/mo. Then add on Extras for even more great channels. Pay as you go. No contract and no commitment. Our unique and exciting design makes it easy and enjoyable to find your favorite shows. See what’s on now at-a-glance; fast-forward, rewind, and pause on most channels; plus look back on certain channels with up to 3 days of replay. No DVR needed!

How well does it work?

Another question is, how are people cord cutting? I have Comcast and it is cheaper to get tv/internet than to get internet by itself. It is so frustrating.
 
It's not unusual for Gaffers to be out of touch with realities in general.

Especially the way channel pricing and bundling works.
Especially how to negotiate with your cable provider to lower your price....in the age where cable companies are doing things to compete with streaming services.
 

Raistlin

Post Count: 9999
What is this assumption based on? Logically it doesn't make much sense as if you offer a competing service like Vue that is basically cable with a few extra bells but a few less whistles for a comparable price then we've innovated sideways and not forward. There are millions of people every year who decide that cable, in any form, isn't for them anymore and Playstation Vue's extra bells aren't going to convince many of them to come back to what is basically the thing they left behind.

Services like Sling TV which offer a small variety of channels but ones that may be in high demand is more logical as a forward innovation. You give me multiple options at around 20 bucks for 10-20 channels that I'll actually watch and you've got my money.
How is that logical at all?

You're arguing that the innovation of others is one half price and one half scarcity of content. Price has never inherently been tied to innovation. If anything, many times innovative devices and offers are actually at a premium. And if scarcity of content is an innovation, then SlingTV was already beaten long ago by offerings like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, etc.

The innovation here is replacing your cable / sat content with a service that allows you to play it on basically any device without monthly rental fees (including portable devices), a totally new UI that has far better searching and sorting capabilities, and a cloud DVR. How is that sideways and not forward? It's a better, more capable, and more user-friendly experience.

But even if you want to consider price, in many households this actually would either be a push or actually save them money. Certainly if you don't want or need the content lineup, it's not for you ... but you can't generalize like that. That's personal and certainly not true of everyone.
 

SURGEdude

Member
So far these live TV streaming services have been pretty crummy. Sling is super limited, Vue is super pricy, HBO is fair, but only one channel. I realize these deals are hard to make, but the value isn't there.
 

AmuroChan

Member
Not at all. I just made the same argument in another post. I'm a cable cutter myself. My point is this package still doesn't offer much for $50 a month. Certainly its subjective, so a package you may think is worth this price may not appeal to me. I'm simply saying this package at this price isn't going to catch on.

I think it's less about the price than it is with how they market this. I can't speak for Philly and Chicago, but most people in NYC don't like Cablevision and they will have no problem jumping ship if there's an alternative that they know about. $50 is actually really reasonable when most NYC families probably pay closer to $200 on their cable package.
 
I saw this on the Google app store.



How well does it work?

Another question is, how are people cord cutting? I have Comcast and it is cheaper to get tv/internet than to get internet by itself. It is so frustrating.

It works well when a channel actually supports the function. Cable networks still kinda stink when it comes to allowing that kind of playback at a reasonable price. My mom has Dishworld (Sling International) and any show on any network can be viewed within 8 days. You just go backwards in the guide. I hope American cable networks ease up a bit and let Dish allow this functionality on Sling with all channels but I doubt it. I bet this is one of the holdups on getting ESPN on Vue.
 
If you pay 100 dollars a month for CABLE TV then you are an idiot.
I pay 55 and have HBO, Showtime, Encore and every basic channel.

Lol Riiight. Are you seriously resorting to straight up lying to prove a point? Please show me where this magical cable package exists that any average person can gain access to for only $55 a month? Most people in the US have to pay $100-$150 a month to have access to those channels on cable or DirecTV / Dish. Even the first discounted year in the 2-year promo deals only generally works out to maybe $20-$30 cheaper per month, which is always right around $100 or so. Thats just a fact.
 
The fact is NONE of these services work for me. My ideal setup would be local channels, sports channels (ESPN, NFL, NBCSN and regional sports networks) and maybe about 10-12 additional cable channels.

I'm sure many others are in the same boat - these services are a good start but do not completely meet the needs of any one user...
I can almost guarantee you that all of those networks are part of different media conglomerates that want their channels included. That's why ala carte is a fools gold. You'll pay way more for less channels.
 

marrec

Banned
How is that logical at all?

You're arguing that the innovation of others is one half price and one half scarcity of content. Price has never inherently been tied to innovation. If anything, many times innovative devices and offers are actually at a premium. And if scarcity of content is an innovation, then SlingTV was already beaten long ago by offerings like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, etc.

The innovation here is replacing your cable / sat content with a service that allows you to play it on basically any device without monthly rental fees (including portable devices), a totally new UI that has far better searching and sorting capabilities, and a cloud DVR. How is that sideways and not forward? It's a better, more capable, and more user-friendly experience.

But even if you want to consider price, in many households this actually would either be a push or actually save them money. Certainly if you don't want or need the content lineup, it's not for you ... but you can't generalize like that. That's personal and certainly not true of everyone.

Isn't that what drove most people to Netflix and Hulu in the first place? Less, more focused content at a much cheaper price?

Large bundles of television channels at a high price isn't innovative by any means. Cloud DVR is neat to be sure and the UI is clean, but the content being offered isn't any different from cable TV, just less.

Again, if someone wants an alternative to their current cable package then Vue seems like something they should look at, but if they've cut cable because of useless channels at high prices than this isn't offering them anything they haven't seen before.
 

Wereroku

Member
If you pay 100 dollars a month for CABLE TV then you are an idiot.
I pay 55 and have HBO, Showtime, Encore and every basic channel.

Sorry this screams bullshit to me. How many cable boxes to you have and what is your channel lineup also what is your cable provider. I have never seen a deal that good where I live.
 

Elandyll

Banned
Well that's the thing -- ESPN is a major reason why people are keeping cable. A cable alternative at this price ($50/month) in my opinion needs to have ESPN if it wants any chance to really take off.

Imo the service needs to be more accessible (lower entry price that includes all the local stations, including ABC), and from there "a la carte" options.

Personally, I couldn't give 2 bits about having sport channels (Vue includes the Fox ones, 2 regualr and 3 college), but I find the lack of Disney channels and AMC to be a non starter.

Ideally, they could have a split like this eventually:

"Access" - All local channels + BET, History, E!, TLC, CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, OWN, Oxygen, TVLand ... - $39.99

"Core": Adds AMC, Spike, USA, FX, TNT, Syfy, Velocity ... for $5

"Kid Zone": Nickelodeon and Disney channels for $5 more

"Sports": ESPN / Fox Sports / Golf for another $5

"Music": Adds MTV, VH1, CMT, etc. for $5 more

"Nature & Science": Adds Science, Animal Planet, Discovery, Nat Geo ... for $5 more

"Home": Adds HGTV, Cooking Channel, Food Network, DIY, ... for $5 more


... something like that :)


If you pay 100 dollars a month for CABLE TV then you are an idiot.
I pay 55 and have HBO, Showtime, Encore and every basic channel.

I pay $135/m with DirecTV including 2 HD DVRs and a Genie, and HBO. IF you have a similar setup, please do tell how you manage this feat.

This is with the Choice package ($71/m) which is their first tier to have: Science, Travel and the Cooking channel (all requisites for the missus).
 
Lol Riiight. Are you seriously resorting to straight up lying to prove a point? Please show me where this magical cable package exists that any average person can gain access to for only $55 a month? Most people in the US have to pay $100-$150 a month to have access to those channels on cable or DirecTV / Dish. Even the first discounted year in the 2-year promo deals only generally works out to maybe $20-$30 cheaper per month, which is always right around $100 or so. Thats just a fact.

Ill screenshot my last bill..i did it some other thread not that long ago.
 
If you pay 100 dollars a month for CABLE TV then you are an idiot.
I pay 55 and have HBO, Showtime, Encore and every basic channel.

I don't think anyone is an idiot for not wanting to call Comcast every year to threaten leaving if you can't keep your promo price. That's the kind of crap people don't want to deal with anymore.
 
Sorry this screams bullshit to me. How many cable boxes to you have and what is your channel lineup also what is your cable provider. I have never seen a deal that good where I live.

1 box..i use roku 2's and the time warner app in every room and dont have a dvr. Twc, like all cable companies has an on demand component that makes the dvr useless.
 
Imo the service needs to be more accessible (lower entry price that includes all the local stations, including ABC), and from there "a la carte" options.

Personally, I couldn't give 2 bits about having sport channels (Vue includes the Fox ones, 2 regualr and 3 college), but I find the lack of Disney channels and AMC to be a non starter.

Ideally, they could have a split like this eventually:

"Access" - All local channels + BET, History, E!, TLC, CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, OWN, Oxygen, TVLand ... - $39.99

"Core": Adds AMC, Spike, USA, FX, TNT, Syfy, Velocity ... for $10

"Kid Zone": Nickelodeon and Disney channels for $10 more

"Sports": ESPN / Fox Sports / Golf for another $10

"Music": Adds MTV, VH1, CMT, etc. for $5 more

"Nature & Science": Adds Science, Animal Planet, Discovery, Nat Geo ... for $5 more

"Home": Adds HGTV, Cooking Channel, Food Network, DIY, ... for $5 more


... something like that :)

Lovely idea but many of those channels are owned by three our four companies total and require you to bundle them together in their contracts otherwise you don't get any of their programming.
 

Drek

Member
Especially the way channel pricing and bundling works.
Especially how to negotiate with your cable provider to lower your price....in the age where cable companies are doing things to compete with streaming services.

Maybe some of us have better things to do with our time than constantly be jumping from special promo to special promo and trying to renegotiate our cable bill with our provider every few months, ever think of that?

I'd prefer for my monthly cable bill to not feel like buying a car from some dude named Tony down at the used car lot. I'd prefer for it to be an easily budgeted monthly expense I can basically forget about unless I'm unhappy with the service itself.

This is why cord cutting is a growing trend. People are sick of having to jump through hoops to not get screwed on their cable bills. It isn't that we're all too dumb to know that those hoops exist like you seem to think, it's that we're all too damn busy to waste that much time haggling with a company that should value us as a customer but clearly doesn't.
 
I think it's less about the price than it is with how they market this. I can't speak for Philly and Chicago, but most people in NYC don't like Cablevision and they will have no problem jumping ship if there's an alternative that they know about. $50 is actually really reasonable when most NYC families probably pay closer to $200 on their cable package.

I don't disagree with that to a point. But price is always a factor for most middle class families, even at $50 a month. Thats above the insta-impulse price where Nerflix hooks people. So people have to weigh what it offers. Which then depends on whether or not what is in the package is what each respective person wants. At this price point I dont see this taking off in Portland or Seattle at all. If they add ESPN then it might have a chance. Having a sports channel is really key.
 

Nipo

Member
Sorry this screams bullshit to me. How many cable boxes to you have and what is your channel lineup also what is your cable provider. I have never seen a deal that good where I live.

That is pretty close to the intro rate where I live. It is like $64 a month includes 110 Mbps internet and cable with like 40 channels + HBO. The catch is the rate is only good for a year then shoots up to like $119 so you either need to call and threaten to cancel to get the promo rate again or be willing to pay more after the first year.
 
I can get all those channels and more for like $44 through digital starter with Comcast. And it makes no sense to charge extra for regional sports when they don't even have ESPN. The only thing I'm liking right now is the interface. The xfinity x1 interface drives me crazy to the point that I don't even watch TV
 
$30-$40 with ESPN and i'll get it in a heart beat. Everyone crowing about Sling is making me laugh. Other than Disney owned stations and "cheaper" bundles, Vue is better in practically everything else.

Getting DVR alone adds at least $20 to the already expensive cable bill. Plus the fact they charge $8-$10 on the damn boxes. Just get Disney on board, create a cheap $20-$30 bare bones bundle for competition and they can have something pretty good.
 

Kill3r7

Member
I think it's less about the price than it is with how they market this. I can't speak for Philly and Chicago, but most people in NYC don't like Cablevision and they will have no problem jumping ship if there's an alternative that they know about. $50 is actually really reasonable when most NYC families probably pay closer to $200 on their cable package.

Except it is not $50. You still have to pay for the internet and you have to have a device which streams Vue. That said, I think the Vue could do really well in NYC if it carries MSG and Yes.
 
I can almost guarantee you that all of those networks are part of different media conglomerates that want their channels included. That's why ala carte is a fools gold. You'll pay way more for less channels.

You pay more for the channels you watch but less overall.. When I still had my BUD I could get SyFy for $9.99 per year . I purchased by the year and you could string together a bunch of channels you actually watch . Currently the contracts are negotiated bundled since it raises the overall price and give the people the illusion that they are getting a deal based upon pure volume of channels.

People who never owned a big dish during the 90's don't realize how cheap cable could be.
 

AmuroChan

Member
I don't disagree with that to a point. But price is always a factor for most middle class families, even at $50 a month. Thats above the insta-impulse price where Nerflix hooks people. So people have to weigh what it offers. Which then depends on whether or not what is in the package is what each respective person wants. At this price point I dont see this taking off in Portland or Seattle at all. If they add ESPN then it might have a chance. Having a sports channel is really key.

Right, I don't think the $50 will be the price in all cities. I think it is a viable price point for the cities they're testing (NYC, Chicago, Philly). Much like cable prices varie across different metro areas in the country, I think this service will have varying price points as well depending on location.
 

Bgamer90

Banned
$30-$40 with ESPN and i'll get it in a heart beat. Everyone crowing about Sling is making me laugh. Other than Disney owned stations and "cheaper" bundles, Vue is better in practically everything else.

Find it strange that you put cheaper in quotations as if it's not cheaper.

On top of this, people are looking to cut the cord to save money so it's not like price is some minor point to take into consideration here.
 

quickwhips

Member
So 50 dollars for 3+ streams? I might get my buddies to split this with me and we can all watch tv for 15 bucks a month. Not bad if that works out this way.
 

Kill3r7

Member
You pay more for the channels you watch but less overall.. When I still had my BUD I could get SyFy for $9.99 per year . I purchased by the year and you could string together a bunch of channels you actually watch . Currently the contracts are negotiated bundled since it raises the overall price and give the people the illusion that they are getting a deal based upon pure volume of channels.

People who never owned a big dish during the 90's don't realize how cheap cable could be.

Spot on.

The difference is that if you like sports you are partial to the current cable rate because the whole group is subsidizing the cost of it.
 
Right, I don't think the $50 will be the price in all cities. I think it is a viable price point for the cities they're testing (NYC, Chicago, Philly). Much like cable prices varie across different metro areas in the country, I think this service will have varying price points as well depending on location.

I think it could be viable in the Nirthwest at $29.99 or maybe $34.99 with ESPN. That would give it a shot of taking off here.
 

Nipo

Member
Find it strange that you put cheaper in quotations as if it's not cheaper.

On top of this, people are looking to cut the cord to save money so it's not like price is some minor point to take into consideration here.

And with both services you're still paying to watch commercials. I have no problem paying for netflix, amazon prime, HBO Go or other commercial free subscription services but I don't see the value in paying money to watch live tv with commercials. There already exists a product for that, cable tv, and it is what so many under 30 consumers are rejecting.
 

AmuroChan

Member
On top of this, people are looking to cut the cord to save money so it's not like price is some minor point to take into consideration here.

Well, not everyone is looking to cut the cord. Some are just looking for a cheaper alternative. Remember, in most metro areas you don't have a choice when it comes to cable providers. So if someone can come in and create some competition, that's all the better for the consumers.
 
What the fuck are you talking about? I have TIME WARNER CABLE. I use the roku boxes in place of extra boxes and have one cable box in my living room from TIME WARNER CABLE, sport.

You are utilizing a deal that most people can't take advantage of, chief.

Drop F-bombs all you want. But your argument is irrelevant. We have Comcast in the Northwest. It costs $150 a month for all the channels you listed. Period. End of story. Please regale us with your ignorance as to the realities of regional cable/satellite monopolies/duopolies.

Jesus Christ on a jack-hammer, some people have no idea that an entire world exists outside their own little bubble. Lol
 
I want to go full kickstarter for all TV. I don't want to fund these bad lineups. Give us more power Sony. This bundle shit is prison.
 
You are utilizing a deal that most people can't take advantage of, chief.

Drop F-bombs all you want. But your argument is irrelevant. We have Comcast in the Northwest. It costs $150 a month for all the channels you listed. Period. End of story. Please regale us with your ignorance as to the realities of regional cable/sarellite monopolies/duopolies. Jesus, some people have no idea that an entire world exists outside their own little bubble. Lol

Well I live in NYC, thats how we have it. Sorry bro.
 

Wereroku

Member
I dont have epix or that movie pass thing anymore, detective.

So you pay 62.98 still more than Sony Vue with less features. Guessing you just have a standard set top box and no DVR right? Just depending on the VOD features of the TWC app on roku. You are really hostile about a whole discussion that you started.
 

prag16

Banned
Lol Riiight. Are you seriously resorting to straight up lying to prove a point? Please show me where this magical cable package exists that any average person can gain access to for only $55 a month? Most people in the US have to pay $100-$150 a month to have access to those channels on cable or DirecTV / Dish. Even the first discounted year in the 2-year promo deals only generally works out to maybe $20-$30 cheaper per month, which is always right around $100 or so. Thats just a fact.

You have to call up their retention department and whine. I pulled off something like this guy was saying for $45/mo for a while a few years ago (albeit with only showtime and no other premium channels). These deals are generally limited timeframe, so you have to keep calling back to badger them.

It's very much a YMMV situation though, and you might have to get pretty pushy and threaten to cancel multiple times. So for him to say "you're an idiot if you don't have this" is definitely on the harsh side if not downright hostile/trollish.
 

Bgamer90

Banned
And with both services you're still paying to watch commercials. I have no problem paying for netflix, amazon prime, HBO Go or other commercial free subscription services but I don't see the value in paying money to watch live tv with commercials. There already exists a product for that, cable tv, and it is what so many under 30 consumers are rejecting.

The whole point is that the services are very cheap in comparison to cable TV. I don't mind watching commercials if it's going to save me $50-60 per month to watch the same content I care about via cable TV subscription.
___________

Well, not everyone is looking to cut the cord. Some are just looking for a cheaper alternative. Remember, in most metro areas you don't have a choice when it comes to cable providers. So if someone can come in and create some competition, that's all the better for the consumers.

Yeah, this is a good point. Again, I definitely see the value in PS Vue for some people (especially those who live in cities with absolutely horrible cable TV services like Comcast) but I don't really see how this service can greatly take off in its current state. Needs to do one of the two in my opinion:

1. Keep the channels and be about $10-20 cheaper in price per month.

2. Keep the price the same but add Disney owned TV networks.
 
Well I live in NYC, thats how we have it. Sorry bro.

Like I said...your entire argument is irrelevant. You're the one who started off responding to me with the idiotic statement that anyone who cant get your imaginary deal is somehow a "moron". Lol I know plenty of people in NYC paying $150-$200 a month. Your claims smell of horseshit. Simple as that. I'm suddenly remembering why NYC is a great place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there, dude.
 
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