What Is Philo TV? Here's Everything You Need to Know
Philo is one of the best live TV streaming services you can sign up for on a budget. It's a very affordable way to cut the cord from cable, giving you access to tons of popular channels with just an internet connection. That means no more ugly cable boxes or satellite dishes.
We recommend Philo for its especially low price since it's cheaper than all of its direct competitors. It does lack some popular networks in exchange for being so affordable, but it's still a great way to get access to live TV without breaking the bank.
Below, we've broken down all the ins and outs of Philo, including how much it costs, what channels it includes, and what devices you need to stream it.
Philo TVIf you want a streaming service that costs less per month than a single trip for the family to Starbucks, Philo TV is made with you in mind. It features over 70 live TV channels for just $25 a month but is missing popular sports and news networks. Use promo code: THANKS
What is Philo?
Philo is a budget-friendly live TV streaming service that grants you access to tons of TV channels through an internet connection without the fuss of a cable box, satellite dish, or long-term contract. Subscribers can catch popular cable shows as they go live.
There are over 70 channels on Philo, and the list includes popular networks like AMC, Comedy Central, Discovery Channel, Food Network, HGTV, Nickelodeon, TLC, and VH1. It's a pretty impressive lineup for the money, but some viewers may find its selection lacking compared to more expensive live TV services like Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, Fubo, or YouTube TV.
Most notably, Philo is missing local stations like ABC and NBC, and it doesn't have big cable news or sports networks like CNN and ESPN.
How much does Philo cost?
Philo starts at $25 a month for over 70 channels. Plans also include unlimited DVR space for one year (recordings are automatically deleted after 12 months of storage) and support for three simultaneous streams. That's less than half the cost of most competing services, making Philo an incredible bang-for-your-buck option. You can also cancel at any time because Philo doesn't lock you into a contract.
Once you're subscribed, you can expand the service by tacking on add-ons for even more content. Here's what Philo offers in addition to its base service:
- MGM+ for an additional $6 a month
- Starz for an additional $10 a month
- Movie & more add-on for an additional $3 a month
How to watch Philo
Philo, just like every other streaming service, is available on a variety of platforms. That includes most smart TVs, smartphones, and web browsers. Unfortunately, it is not compatible with any gaming consoles.
Here's a list of devices that support Philo:
- Android TV
- Android smartphones
- Apple TV
- Fire tablets
- Fire TV
- iOS
- Roku
- Samsung TVs
Can I watch Philo for free?
Philo offers a free seven-day trial for first-time subscribers. It's a great way to give the service a try before committing to a membership, and you can cancel anytime. Otherwise, Philo doesn't offer any free plans.
Is Philo worth it?
For only $25 a month, Philo is well worth the money if you're a reality TV, drama, or lifestyle programming fan. Whether you're a sucker for Hallmark movies, AMC dramas, Investigation Discovery series, or Food Network cooking competitions, the service has the programming you're looking for — and your kids can catch cartoons on Nickelodeon with the same subscription.
However, if you're searching for a live TV streaming service to get your local news, favorite broadcast shows, and sports, you'll want to look elsewhere. As enticing as its low price is, Philo lacks the networks to truly satisfy viewers with those interests. If that's a dealbreaker for you, we recommend opting for a competitor like Hulu + Live TV or Sling TV.
Sarah Saril
As a Tech Deals and Streaming Reporter for Insider's Reviews team, Sarah covers the latest movie and series releases along with the best sales on products we recommend. Prior to joining Insider Inc., she was a Deals Writer at Wirecutter, a New York Times company. After graduating from California State University, Fullerton with a degree in Marketing, Sarah started out as a Freelance Deals Writer at Wirecutter; there she focused on newsletter creation, social media promotion, and syndication in addition to deals writing before stepping into a full-time role. Her accomplishments from this position, in addition to the countless deals she's written, include implementing multiple social media marketing campaigns and launching a Deals Facebook group for the company. Say hi (or send a picture of your pet) to Sarah at ssaril@insider.com, or reach her on Twitter at @sarahhahr or on Instagram at @lord_ponty. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Learn more about how we research deals. Read more Read lessncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o8HSoqWeq6Oeu7S1w56pZ5ufonyowcidnKxno6m%2Fpq3MoqWgZ6edrrV5yKxkqaCZobxuwNU%3D