Philo

What is Philo?

Philo is a budget-friendly live TV streaming service that offers entertainment-focused programming without the high costs associated with sports networks. Launched in 2017, Philo was built specifically for cord-cutters who want cable-style entertainment channels at a fraction of traditional costs. By excluding expensive sports networks that drive up competitor pricing, Philo delivers over 70 channels of entertainment, lifestyle, and reality programming for one of the lowest prices in the streaming TV market.

What distinguishes Philo from other live TV streaming services is its intentional simplicity and value focus. While competitors like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV include comprehensive sports coverage that inflates their pricing to $70-80/month, Philo focuses purely on entertainment programming at around $28/month. This makes it the most affordable full-featured live TV option for viewers who don’t watch sports and don’t want to pay for channels they’ll never use.

Philo has found its audience among reality TV enthusiasts, lifestyle programming fans, and budget-conscious cord-cutters who want the cable experience without cable prices. The service includes popular networks like AMC, A&E, Comedy Central, Discovery, Food Network, HGTV, MTV, Nickelodeon, and dozens more. For the right viewer, Philo provides the sweet spot between expensive comprehensive services and basic streaming apps.

Key Features

• 70+ Entertainment Channels: AMC, Comedy Central, Discovery, Food Network, HGTV, MTV, and more
• Unlimited DVR: Record as much content as you want, stored for up to one year
• 3 Simultaneous Streams: Watch on three devices at the same time
• On-Demand Library: Access to thousands of shows and movies on demand
• Profile Support: Create up to 10 user profiles with personalized preferences
• No Contract: Cancel anytime with no commitments or cancellation fees
• Mobile Viewing: Stream on phones and tablets with full app functionality
• 72-Hour Rewind: Watch content from the past three days without recording
• Simple Interface: Clean, easy-to-navigate design focused on content discovery
• Wide Device Support: Available on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, smart TVs, and mobile

What’s New

Philo continues enhancing its entertainment-focused platform:

• Channel Additions: Regular additions of new entertainment networks
• Improved DVR: Enhanced DVR management and organization features
• Better On-Demand: Expanded on-demand library with more content
• App Updates: Improved apps across all platforms with better performance
• Enhanced Search: Better content discovery and search functionality
• Profile Features: More personalization options for individual profiles
• Picture Quality: Improved streaming quality and adaptive bitrate
• Interface Refresh: Updated design for easier navigation

System Requirements

Streaming Devices

• Roku: All current models
• Amazon Fire TV: All generations
• Apple TV: 4th generation or newer
• Chromecast: With Google TV
• Android TV: Version 5.0+

Smart TVs

• Samsung: 2017 or newer
• LG: WebOS 3.5+
• Vizio: SmartCast

Mobile Devices

• iOS: Version 14.0+
• Android: Version 5.0+

Web Browser

• Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge (latest versions)
• Internet: 8 Mbps minimum for HD

How to Subscribe to Philo

Via Web Browser

1. Visit philo.com
2. Click “Start Your Free Trial”
3. Enter mobile number or email
4. Choose payment method
5. Complete subscription
6. Start watching immediately

Via Streaming Device

1. Download Philo app from your device’s store
2. Open the app
3. Select “Start Free Trial”
4. Create account with phone or email
5. Complete payment setup
6. Begin streaming

# Philo subscription:
# $28/month for 70+ channels
# 7-day free trial available

# Key included channels:
# AMC, A&E, BBC America, BET, CMT
# Comedy Central, Discovery, Food Network
# HGTV, History, Lifetime, MTV, Nickelodeon
# Paramount Network, TLC, TV Land, VH1

# NOT included (sports focus):
# ESPN, Fox Sports, regional sports
# Local broadcast (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox)
# Premium (HBO, Showtime)

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Unbeatable Price: Most affordable live TV streaming service at $28/month
• Unlimited DVR: No storage limits with year-long retention beats many competitors
• Entertainment Focus: Perfect for those who don’t watch sports and don’t want to pay for it
• No Contract: Complete flexibility to cancel anytime
• Multiple Profiles: Up to 10 profiles accommodate varied household preferences
• 72-Hour Rewind: Catch up on recent content without needing to DVR
• Simple Experience: Clean interface without overwhelming options

Cons

• No Sports: Complete absence of sports networks is deal-breaker for many
• No Local Channels: Missing ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox local stations
• No News Giants: Lacks CNN, Fox News, MSNBC for news viewers
• Limited Premium: No HBO, Showtime, or other premium networks
• Only 3 Streams: Fewer simultaneous streams than some competitors

Philo vs Alternatives

Who Should Subscribe to Philo?

Philo is ideal for:

• Non-Sports Viewers: Those who never watch sports and resent paying for ESPN
• Reality TV Fans: Enthusiasts of shows on TLC, Bravo, Discovery, and similar networks
• Budget Cord-Cutters: Those seeking the lowest-cost live TV option available
• Entertainment Streamers: Viewers who want AMC, Comedy Central, MTV, and lifestyle channels
• Secondary Service Users: Those who have antenna for locals and need entertainment channels
• Families Without Sports: Households focused on kids’ content (Nickelodeon) and entertainment

Philo may not be ideal for:

• Sports Fans: Complete absence of sports makes it unsuitable for any sports viewer
• News Watchers: Missing major cable news networks frustrates news consumers
• Local Channel Needers: Requires antenna or other solution for local broadcasts
• Premium Content Seekers: Those wanting HBO or Showmax need additional subscriptions

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Philo have a free trial?

Yes, Philo offers a 7-day free trial for new subscribers. During the trial, you get full access to all channels and features. You can cancel anytime during the trial without being charged. The trial is a good opportunity to verify that Philo’s channel lineup meets your needs, especially given the absence of sports and news networks.

Why is Philo so cheap compared to other services?

Philo achieves its low price by excluding the most expensive channel categories: sports networks (ESPN, Fox Sports, regional sports) and local broadcast stations. Sports rights are the primary cost driver for cable and streaming TV services. By targeting viewers who don’t watch sports, Philo passes those savings directly to subscribers while still offering 70+ entertainment channels.

Can I get local channels with Philo?

No, Philo doesn’t include local broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS). Many Philo subscribers pair it with a digital antenna for free over-the-air local channels. This combination often provides comprehensive TV coverage for less than half the cost of services that include locals. Services like Locast (where available) can also supplement local access.

How does Philo’s DVR work?

Philo’s DVR is truly unlimited – you can record as many shows as you want with no storage cap. Recordings are stored for up to one year (earlier versions stored for 30 days, so verify current terms). You can record entire series with one click, and the 72-hour rewind feature means you can catch recent content without needing to record it in advance.

What channels are included with Philo?

Philo includes 70+ entertainment channels including AMC, A&E, BBC America, BET, CMT, Comedy Central, Discovery, Food Network, Hallmark, HGTV, History, IFC, Lifetime, MTV, Nickelodeon, OWN, Paramount Network, TLC, Travel Channel, TV Land, VH1, and more. Check Philo’s website for the complete current lineup as it expands periodically.

Final Verdict

Philo represents the smartest choice in live TV streaming for viewers who don’t care about sports. By focusing exclusively on entertainment programming and excluding expensive sports networks, Philo delivers remarkable value at $28/month – less than half the cost of comprehensive competitors. For its target audience, this focused approach is exactly what’s needed.

The service excels for reality TV fans, lifestyle programming enthusiasts, and anyone who’s ever complained about paying for sports channels they never watch. The unlimited DVR with year-long storage, 72-hour rewind, and multiple profiles add genuine utility. Combined with an antenna for local channels, Philo can serve as a complete cord-cutting solution at a fraction of cable costs.

Philo is highly recommended for entertainment-focused viewers who want live TV without sports or news overhead. It’s perfect as a primary service for non-sports households or as a complement to local channels via antenna. Sports fans, news viewers, and those requiring comprehensive local coverage should look elsewhere, but for its intended audience, Philo delivers unmatched value.