PlayStation Vue's A La Carte Option Not As Cheap As It Appears

Sony announced big plans for its PlayStation Vue TV streaming service at E3 in Los Angeles. Instead of subscribing to bundles, the cheapest of which starts at $50, as of next month users will be able to purchase individual channels.

But the offer isn't as enticing as you might think. Currently, only three channels are available for individual subscription: Showtime for $11; Fox Soccer Plus for $15; and a newly added channel, Machinima, for $4.

While PlayStation Plus members get a discount of $2, the individual subscription price may not be worth it for regular PlayStation Vue users. The service has been available in New York, Philadelphia and Chicago since March, and Monday night it also launched in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

"PlayStation Vue is not just a streaming service, it's a complete live TV experience designed for the gamer, making it simpler and easier to find the television they want," said Andrew House, president and global CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment.

"We're pleased to expand PlayStation Vue's packages to two additional major TV markets, representing the first time consumers on the West Coast will have access to their favorite live and catch-up TV content, as well as cloud DVR with unlimited capacity," PlayStation Vue chief Dwayne Benefield added.

Subscribers will also get a 30-day free trial.