Philo TV Channels, Plans, Price, And More
Philo TV is a low-price live TV streaming service.
Need to cut the cord? Suddenly, Philo TV might be just the ticket. By the streaming service, you can watch live TV channels without the overpriced cable bill. Philo allows the capability to view and record live TV from 63 channels for just $20 per month. And it’s available on most virtual streaming devices, including Roku, Chromecast, and Apple TV.
While Philo TV doesn’t have local channels or every major cable network in its lineup, it does feature many popular channels. And the service allows Starz and Epix as premium add-ons. Philo could be the perfect streaming solution for the price to get rid of headache-inducing cable bills and impossible-to-cancel contracts. A seven-day free trial allows new users to check out Philo before committing to a subscription.
As seen in our Philo TV review, the service is also easy and pleasurable to use, with a bright, slick interface. Plus, it’s high for viewers who like to record a ton of shows and movies to watch later, as Philo’s DVR lets you keep an unlimited number of recordings for 30 days. All of those extensive features make Philo one of the best streaming services in the store.
What is Philo TV?
The Discovery-owned Philo TV is an “over-the-top” about OTT service, which suggests it comes through the internet first, then on dedicated lines or across the air. That places it in the same bucket as streaming services like Netflix and Amazon. However, Philo specializes in live TV, so it streams programs as they are broadcast. It also provides shows and movies on demand.
Philo isn’t just an OTT service for those looking to cut the cord, though, like Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, and Fubo TV all live stream TV, though their channel lineups, features, and prices modify.
To utilize Philo TV, you can stream on the Philo website or download the app to any of the many devices supported with the service. The company provides a free, 7-day trial to new customers; all you need to do is sign up with your phone number.
Philo TV channels lineup
Currently, there are 63 Philo TV channels. They carry various popular cable networks, including AMC, BET, Comedy Central, BBC America, Discovery Channel, Food Network, IFC, HGTV, Lifetime, MTV, Nickelodeon, TV Land, and VH1.
Philo does not provide any local channels, so you can’t watch broadcast networks CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, or The CW. This Philo TV lineup is also sparse on sports channels, then no ESPN and Fox Sports.
You can browse Philo channels by the live lead, which is in a grid format like you’ve discussed cable TV. You can also search for select channels and shows.
Philo also provides the premium add-on channels Starz and Epix.
Philo TV cost
Philo TV has just one package and plan: $20 per month.
Philo users can get Starz for $9 by month, after a first promotion pricing of $5 a month for the first three months if customers subscribe to these services before July 13. Epix costs $6, including an early promotion pricing of $3 per month.
Philo has teamed up with great Buy for a deal on subscriptions. New Philo customers can take a month free by a qualifying purchase of streaming devices, smart TVs, antennas, and more. Or they can sign up for Philo in Best Buy and receive 50 percent off the first month’s bill.
Philo TV reviews
During our Philo TV review, we rated the service 3 out of 5 stars. It got points for its lower price and unlimited DVR, but its limited choice hurt it in the end — because what advantage is a DVR if you don’t have much to fill it with? Overall, it’s a “nice new contender in the streaming space” that may not be for all, but we said unless “everything your favorite channels are among Philo’s lineup,” Philo may not prove comprehensive enough.
He did, but, commend the quality of Philo’s mobile apps.
Best Philo TV app and supported devices
Philo TV has apps at iOS and Android, including supported devices include web browsers and most extreme streaming boxes, smart TVs, and sticks.
- web browsers on PC and Mac
- mobile devices iOS
- Android mobile devices (OS 5.0 and higher)
- Fire TV
- Roku
- Apple TV (4th gen or later)
- Android TV (5.0 or higher)
- Fire Tablet (OS 5.0 relatively higher)
Philo does not now support Chromecast or any game consoles at that time.
Philo TV DVR
Philo’s DVR is one of the best features. You can save an endless number of TV shows and movies currently airing or scheduled to air in the future. This recording will be available to you for 30 days. And if you playback a DVR recording, you can fast forward and rewind into commercials.
The Philo DVR has two small drawbacks. Once you save a show, it’ll record all single airing — whether the episode is new or not. Moreover, you cannot delete recordings before the 30-day expiration date. Of course, since the DVR space is unlimited, you don’t want to trouble to delete recordings to make space for others.
Philo TV commercials
Okay, Philo airs commercials during shows because you understand precisely what you would know if you watched these cable TV channels. The capability to fast forward, rewind or pause through commercials differs by channel.
Philo TV movies
Numerous Philo channels like AMC, BBC America, and IFC show classic movies and recent hit movies. And in interest to the movies that air on included channels, Sling provides on-demand movies for additional rental fees. The movies are both new releases and more classical favorites and usually range from $2.99 to $4.99.
Philo TV on-demand content
Philo has done 40,000 titles available to view on-demand. There isn’t an obvious way to browse the video-on-demand content, though. You have to watch for a “VOD” tag at show profile pages.
Philo TV internet speed suggestions
Philo has internet speed suggestions and notes that the video quality adjusts according to your available bandwidth. Their recommendations are:
13 Mbps – Confirmed for real HD streaming and many streams or other devices using the same network.
7 Mbps – Stream one HD video. If many devices are streaming or using the network together, there may be buffering problems.
3 Mbps – Stream SD quality video.
Under 3 Mbps – This video quality is decreased. Philo may load slowly or rebuffer.
Is Philo TV worth it?
If you need a live TV service for a cheap cost, and Philo’s channel lineup has your favorites when it is possibly the most affordable streaming service out there. You see a bunch of bang for your buck since Philo offers 50 channels, live watching, unlimited DVR, plus a ton of on-demand content.
But, if you want local channels or your preferred networks aren’t in the lineup, when Philo may not be the greatest (or only) streaming service for you. It could get costly if you have to add on different services on top of Philo because it doesn’t give you everything you need to watch. In that case, you may want to view a more high streamer with a more robust channel lineup.
