1. How much does it cost?
It depends. In most markets, Vue’s entry-level package costs $30 a month. Tiers with more channels are then $35, $45, and $65 a month. Around some major cities, though, Vue starts at $40 a month, with those higher tiers at $45, $55, and $75 a month.
There’s a catch to all of this, which we’ll get into below. In any case, beyond the base tiers, there are a handful of add-on channels that range from $2 to $15 a month.
2. How many channels does it have?
Vue’s entry-level “Access” tier has about 45 channels. The next “Core” tier has about 60 channels. Then there’s an “Elite” tier with 90 channels. Finally, an “Ultra” tier takes the Elite package and adds HBO and Showtime.
3. What major channels are not included?
Sony dropped its partnership with Viacom last November, which means Vue has no way to stream Comedy Central, MTV, Spike, Nickelodeon, or any other Viacom property. Those are the biggest outright absences.
As with Sling TV, Vue’s relationship with the big four networks is complicated. If you live near the handful of cities where Vue starts at $40 a month — NYC, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, Philadelphia, Miami, and San Francisco — you’ll be able to watch CBS, ABC, Fox, and NBC live.
If you live in another market, Vue is cheaper, but you can only watch shows from those networks on-demand, a day after they air. You might get one or two of those channels live, but you won’t get all four. Again, check where you stand first — or just buy an antenna.
This is another reminder that none of these services have shifted the balance of power away from media giants and cable companies.