Philo Channels, Plans, and Costs 2024
By Staff• Edited by Lisa Holden • Updated Dec 04, 2023
With plenty of streaming options to choose from, what makes Philo the right streaming choice for you? Read on to learn everything you need to make an informed decision about Philo in 2024.
What is Philo?
There are two types of paid streaming services: video-on-demand (VOD), such as Netflix and Prime Video, and live TV services, such as Sling TV and Fubo. Many live TV services include on-demand libraries as well, offering the best of both worlds, and this is where Philo fits in.
Founded in 2017, Philo might be considered a new player on the streaming landscape, but it’s backed by some of the most established brands in the industry. With names like A&E, AMC, Discovery Inc., and Paramount, the list of owners reads like a Who’s Who of entertainment companies.
Specializing in live TV means Philo streams programs as they broadcast, just like regular TV. And with Philo’s unlimited 1-year DVR storage, you’ll never worry about missing your favorite shows.
But live TV is just part of its platform. It also offers an extensive library of on-demand TV shows and movies that include some of the biggest hits of yesterday and today.
Where is Philo available?
Philo is currently only available inside the US, so you’ll need a VPN to watch it outside the country. However, all VPNs don’t live up to their claims and might not be able to bypass Philo’s VPN filters. We’ve had no problems using ExpressVPN or NordVPN to watch Philo outside the US.
What’s on Philo?
With 70+ channels and 50,000 on-demand titles, Philo’s primary focus is on movies and TV shows. Whether you’re a fan of sitcoms, dramas, or reality TV, Philo’s got you covered. From Bonanza to Yellowstone, Philo offers a wide selection of yesterday’s classics and today’s hits.
In addition to BBC World News and the AccuWeather channel, Philo has an impressive library of educational programming and documentaries, as well as specialty channels covering everything from history to music to food.
However, Philo is not a complete cable-replacement solution. In order to offer such a low subscription fee, Philo does not carry national or regional sports channels, such as Fox Sports or ESPN. For the same reason, you also won’t find any local channels, meaning major broadcast networks like ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC are not available.
If sports, local news, or the big broadcast networks are a big part of your viewing habits, you’ll either need a secondary service or to consider another option altogether, such as Sling TV.
Philo plans and pricing
How much does Philo cost?
Philo has a base plan with three optional add-ons available.
While the price of its basic plan increased slightly since last year, Philo is still the streaming service that should be on every bargain hunter’s radar. If you’re cutting the cord to save a bundle, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better combination of content and cost on the market.
It’s far cheaper than expanded basic cable (which Americans paid an average of $71/month for in 2018), and it’s less than half of what competitors like Fubo cost. Many live TV services include on-demand libraries as well, offering the best of both worlds, and this is where Philo and Hulu with Live TV charge, and is even well below its lowest-priced competitor, Sling TV.
Key Philo features
While other live streaming services charge extra for DVR storage and limit how many hours of content you can save, one of Philo’s key features is unlimited 1-year DVR storage as part of its base plan. That means you can save all movies and TV shows you want for up to 1 year, and never need to rush to watch a show before it disappears.
The base plan allows for a whopping 10 individual user profiles, meaning everyone in the house can have their own account with their own list of saved shows.
It also features support for simultaneous streaming on up to 3 devices, so you won’t find yourself waiting for someone else’s show to finish.
The combination of 10 user accounts, 3 simultaneous streams, and unlimited 1-year DVR storage, makes Philo a great choice for families—especially families on a budget.
With smash hits like AMC’s The Walking Dead, there is plenty of great content offered in Philo’s base plan. The 64 Channels included are:
Philo channel list
- A&E
- AccuWeather Network
- AMC
- American Heroes Channel
- Animal Planet
- aspireTV
- AXS TV
- BBC America
- BBC World News
- BET
- BET Her
- Catchy Comedy
- CLEO TV
- CMT
- Comedy Central
- Cooking Channel
- Crime + Investigation
- Deck The Hallmark
- Destination America
- Discovery Channel
- Discovery Family
- Discovery Life
- Food Network
- FYI
- Game Show Network
- GAC Faith & Living
- GAC Family
- Game Show Network
- getTV
- Hallmark Channel
- Hallmark Drama
- Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
- H&I
- HGTV
- History
- IFC
- INSP
- Investigation Discovery
- Law&Crime
- Lifetime
- LMN
- Logo
- Magnolia Network
- MeTV
- MeTV+
- Motor Trend
- MTV
- MTV Classic
- MTV Live
- MTV2
- Nick Jr.
- Nickelodeon
- Nicktoons
- Oprah Winfrey Network
- Paramount Network
- PopTV
- REVOLT
- Science Channel
- Smithsonian
- Sundance TV
- Tastemade
- TeenNick
- TLC
- Travel Channel
- TV Land
- TV One
- UPtv
- VH1
- Vice
- WE tv
The base plan also includes an additional 28 free channels:
- The Bob Ross Channel
- Cheddar News
- Chicken Soup for the Soul
- Comedy Dynamics
- Cowboy Way
- Crackle
- Drag Race Universe
- FailArmy
- Gusto TV
- INFAST
- INTROUBLE
- INWONDER
- Kin
- Outside
- People Are Awesome
- The Pet Collective
- PlayersTV
- pocket.watch
- RetroCrush
- Revry
- Ryan and Friends
- Screambox TV
- USA TODAY
- Vevo '80s
- Vevo '90s
- Vevo Country
- Vevo Hip-Hop
- Vevo Pop
Philo channel add-ons
Movies & More: $3/month
Tack on $3/month to your base plan and receive five premium channels that include TV shows, documentaries, and movies from some of the world’s top film studios.
- Cinémoi
- HDNet Movies
- MGM HD
- Reelz
- Sony Movies
MGM+: $6/month
For an extra $6/month you’ll get access to the MGM-owned network of premium content including blockbuster movies, original series, documentaries, and more.
- MGM+
- MGM+ Hits
- MGM+2
Starz: $10/month
Stacking your Philo base subscription with Starz for an extra $10/month gets you a trio of channels featuring box office hits, classic movies, and original series. All shows and movies are commercial-free.
- Starz
- Starz Encore
- Starz Kids & Family
Even with all the add-ons, Philo still costs far less than most competing live streaming services, which are around $65/month.
Is Philo for you?
Philo is arguably the most affordable option when it comes to streaming live TV and is a great choice for families. However, if sports, local news, or the big broadcast networks account for a large part of your viewing habits, you’ll probably find another streaming service more suitable.
But if you’re looking for movies, sitcoms, documentaries, and reality shows at an unbeatable price, Philo may be the perfect choice. Get your free week now and decide for yourself.
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Lisa Holden • Editor
Lisa Holden is an editor and creative based in Houston, TX. Lisa holds a BA in African-American Studies from Temple University and has spent her career working in news publications and magazines, even founding a magazine herself. When she’s not editing or working on one of her many creative endeavors (whenever that is), she enjoys traveling to new places and biking on sunny days.