If you‘re looking to cut the cord on cable TV, one of the options you‘ll likely come across is Vidgo. As a relatively new live TV streaming service that launched in 2019, Vidgo offers some compelling benefits like 100+ live channels, free video on demand content and free cloud DVR storage.
In this detailed review, we‘ll provide an in-depth look at everything Vidgo has to offer so you can determine if it‘s a good fit for all your live streaming needs.
Vidgo At A Glance
Before jumping into the details, let‘s start with a high-level overview of Vidgo:
- Launched – December 2019
- # of subscribers – Est. over 500,000 (based on SimilarWeb traffic data)
- # of channels – 100+ live channels
- Notable channels – ESPN, FS1, TNT, TBS, Discovery, HGTV, Hallmark, Lifetime
- Cost – Starts at $40/month
- Free trial – No free trial offered currently
- DVR – 20 hours free cloud DVR included
- Simultaneous streams – Up to 3
- On demand – Thousands of free movies & shows
- Supported devices – Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, iOS, Android, Chromecast, web
Next let‘s dig into the details of Vidgo‘s channels, features, pricing and more.
Vidgo Channel Lineup
One of the most important factors when choosing a live TV streaming provider is the channel lineup. Vidgo offers over 100 popular live channels, but does have some differences compared to leading services like Hulu Live and YouTube TV.
Here‘s a closer look at Vidgo‘s channel package options:
Vidgo English Packages
Vidgo Plus
- 105+ channels
- Top channels: A&E, AMC, BET, Comedy Central, Discovery, ESPN, Food Network, FS1, Hallmark, HGTV, History, Investigation Discovery, Lifetime, MLB Network, MotorTrend, MTV, NFL Network, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, TBS, TLC, Travel Channel
Vidgo Premium
- 115+ channels
- Adds: Destination America, Discovery Family, Discovery Life, DIY Network, Cooking Channel, BET Her, FM, Logo, MTV2, MTV Classic, Nick Music, Nicktoons, Teen Nick, VH1 Classic
Note: Vidgo provides limited local channel access, primarily in top 25 markets. Local channel availability varies significantly by location.
Vidgo Spanish Package
Vidgo Latino/Más
- 45+ Spanish language channels
- Top channels: ESPN Deportes, Fox Deportes, Univision, UniMás, Discovery en Español, History en Español, Nat Geo Mundo, Azteca America, BabyFirst, Cine Latino, Pasiones, VME Kids
While Vidgo may not have quite as many channels overall as YouTube TV or Hulu Live, it does provide a solid lineup of top cable channels focused on entertainment, lifestyle and sports content. Vidgo‘s Spanish language package is also a nice bonus for those looking for Latino channels.
Let‘s take a look at how Vidgo compares to two of the top competitors in terms of live channel offerings:
Vidgo vs. YouTube TV vs. Hulu Live
| Service | # of Channels | Price | Notable Channels | DVR | Simultaneous Streams |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vidgo | 100+ | $40-$80/month | A&E, Discovery, ESPN, HGTV, Lifetime, TBS | 20 hrs free | 3 |
| YouTube TV | 100+ | $65/month | ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, TNT, TBS, Bravo, FX | Unlimited | 3 |
| Hulu Live TV | 75+ | $70/month | ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, TNT, TBS, Bravo, FX | 50 hrs | 2 |
As you can see, Vidgo holds its own against the top players, though it doesn‘t offer major broadcast networks like ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox. The free 20 hour DVR and support for 3 simultaneous streams are big pluses.
Next let‘s take a closer look at Vidgo‘s on demand content and features.
Vidgo On Demand Library & Features
In addition to its live TV channels, one of Vidgo‘s best perks is its extensive on demand library with thousands of shows and movies.
This content spans categories like movies, tv shows, kids shows, comedy specials and documentaries. Some popular on demand titles available include:
- Yellowstone
- Paw Patrol
- Game of Thrones
- Power
- Rick & Morty
- Impractical Jokers
- The Bachelor
- Jersey Shore
- RuPaul‘s Drag Race
- The Grinch
- Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
- Transformer
- The Wolf of Wall Street
- American Sniper
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
- Coco
- Despicable Me 2
- And thousands more…
The on demand library is regularly updated with new content as well. Movies range from older classics to fairly recent cinema hits.
Access to on demand shows and movies is included free for all Vidgo subscribers. This is a major bonus Vidgo provides compared to most competitors.
In addition to the robust on demand library, Vidgo provides several features that enhance the live TV viewing experience:
Cloud DVR – Record live shows with 20 hours of free DVR storage provided. Upgrades to unlimited DVR storage are available for $10/month.
Simultaneous Streams – Stream on up to 3 devices simultaneously per account.
Closed Captions – Subtitles and closed captions are available on most programming.
Favorites – Mark favorite channels for quick access.
TV Everywhere Apps – Access additional content from channels you subscribe to using TV Everywhere apps.
No contracts – Subscriptions are month-to-month with no long term contracts.
Wireless Account Linking – Link your wireless plan to potentially qualify for discounts.
Referral Program – Refer friends to earn account credits.
Premium Add-ons – Optional premium channel add-ons like HBO, Showtime and more available.
Next let‘s break down Vidgo‘s pricing and packages in more detail.
Vidgo Packages & Pricing
Vidgo currently offers three main packages:
Vidgo Premium
- 115+ channels
- 20 hours free DVR
- On demand library
- 3 concurrent streams
- $79.95/month
Vidgo Plus
- 105+ channels
- 20 hours free DVR for 90 days
- On demand library
- 3 concurrent streams
- $59.95/month
Vidgo Latino/Mas
- 45+ Spanish language channels
- 20 hours free DVR for 90 days
- On demand library
- 3 concurrent streams
- $39.95/month
All Vidgo plans are month-to-month so you can cancel anytime. Some other key pricing details:
-
4K HDR – $10/month add-on for 4K high dynamic range resolution
-
Unlimited DVR – Upgrade to unlimited DVR storage for $10/month
-
Premium channels – Add-ons like HBO, Showtime, Starz, Epix and more available
-
International channels – Spanish language and other international packages available
-
Regional Sports Fee – $14.99/month regional sports fee added in select areas
Compared to other live TV services, Vidgo comes in on the more affordable end while still offering a robust package of channels and on demand content.
Here‘s a pricing comparison:
| Service | Starting Price | Premium Price | DVR | Simultaneous Streams | Top Channels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vidgo | $40/month | $80/month | 20 hrs free | 3 | A&E, Discovery, ESPN, HGTV, Hallmark, Lifetime |
| Hulu Live | $70/month | – | 50 hrs | 2 | ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, TNT |
| YouTube TV | $65/month | – | Unlimited | 3 | ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, TNT |
| DirecTV Stream | $70/month | $150/month | 20 hrs | 2 | ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, TNT |
| Sling TV | $35/month | $50/month | 50 hrs | 1-4 | ESPN, TNT, TBS, Food Network |
Based on these Vidgo prices, it can provide strong value if you‘re mainly interested in top cable channels focused on entertainment, lifestyle and sports. But those wanting major broadcast networks will need to look elsewhere.
Next let‘s go through how to get Vidgo set up on popular streaming devices.
How to Install Vidgo Apps
Vidgo offers dedicated apps for most major streaming platforms, making it easy to install and start streaming.
Roku
- From your Roku home screen, select Streaming Channels and search for Vidgo.
- Select Vidgo app from the results and click Add Channel to install.
- Once installed, open the Vidgo channel and enter your account login info.
Fire TV
- From the Fire TV home screen select Find > Search.
- Search for Vidgo and select the Vidgo app from results.
- Choose Download to install the app.
- Launch the Vidgo app and sign in.
Apple TV
- Open the App Store on your Apple TV.
- Search for "Vidgo" and select the Vidgo app.
- Click Get and install the app.
- Launch Vidgo and sign into your account.
Vidgo also offers mobile apps for both iOS and Android, allowing you to stream from phones and tablets on the go.
You can check out Vidgo‘s website for device setup instructions and minimum requirements. Supported devices include:
- Fire TV
- Roku
- Apple TV
- Android TV/Google TV
- iOS devices
- Android mobile devices
- Chromecast
Now that we‘ve covered the key details on channels, features and pricing, let‘s discuss some pros and cons of Vidgo as a streaming TV service.
Vidgo Review – The Pros
Here are some of the best aspects of Vidgo:
Affordable pricing – Channel packages start at just $40/month, very competitive pricing in the live TV streaming space.
No contracts – Vidgo subscriptions are all month-to-month with no long term commitments. Cancel any time.
On demand included – Get thousands of movies and shows on demand with new titles frequently added.
Cloud DVR included – Record and store up to 20 hours of programming to watch later.
3 simultaneous streams – Stream on up to 3 devices concurrently per account.
User profiles – Create multiple user profiles with custom settings.
Spanish package available – One of few services with a Spanish language channel package.
TV Everywhere apps – Use apps from channels you subscribe to for additional content.
4K HDR support – Stream select programming in Ultra HD 4K resolution.
Vidgo Review – The Cons
And here are a few of the disadvantages of Vidgo:
No major broadcast networks – Does not include ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox or PBS. Local channel availability limited.
No unlimited DVR – Have to pay $10/month to upgrade DVR beyond 20 hours.
No paid account sharing – Accounts can‘t be shared with folks outside your household.
Limited offline viewing – Very limited selection available for offline playback.
Fewer channels overall – Slightly smaller channel selection compared to leading competitors.
Regional sports fees – Additional $14.99/month regional sports fee added in some areas.
VPN blocking – Many VPNs blocked because of location restrictions.
As you can see from the pros and cons, Vidgo provides excellent value given its affordable pricing, extensive on demand library and useful features. But the lack of major broadcast networks could be a dealbreaker for some.
Vidgo Review – The Bottom Line
Vidgo succeeds in offering budget-friendly live TV streaming with a solid package of top cable entertainment, news and sports channels. The on demand library with thousands of movies and shows adds even more value. DVR and multi-stream support make it easy for an entire household to enjoy Vidgo.
But the lack of local broadcast channels will be an issue for some, especially if you want to catch local sports and news. And while starting prices are inexpensive, costs add up once you include taxes, DVR upgrades and additional channel packs.
Overall Vidgo makes for a great option if you mainly watch popular cable channels focused on entertainment, lifestyle and sports content. The free on demand library is a huge benefit. But if local broadcast channels are a priority, you may want to check out alternatives like YouTube TV or Hulu Live TV instead.
To decide if Vidgo is right for your streaming needs, take advantage of the free trial period to evaluate the channel lineup, features and performance. A trial lets you experience Vidgo first-hand before committing.
