Jen Karner / Digital Trends
With the rise of cyclosis services , cutting the electric cord on cable television service TV is well-to-do than ever . Whilethe most popular streamerslikeNetflixandMaxhave gigantic catalogs of video on demand ( VOD ) content , they do n’t tend to offer much access to live scheduling . That ’s wherelive TV cyclosis serviceslike Philo shine .
Philo give up more than 70 live groove , include options like AMC , HGTV & Nickelodeon . It competes with other hot streamer like Sling TV , providing a budget - friendly choice that does n’t sacrifice access to the shows you desire to watch .
Jen Karner / Digital Trends
While the Philo app was originally limited to Roku gimmick , it ’s now available on Apple TV , Android TV , Amazon Fire TV , Samsung TV , and Chromecast . Its availability across platforms pass water it an attractive choice for anyone looking to cut cost while still enjoy programming .
What is Philo?
Philo is a streaming service that figure out likewise toSling TV , DirectTV Stream , YouTube TV , orHulu with Live TV , but it bid different channels . alternatively of a full cable subscription , it provides a modest choice of transmission channel at $ 28 per calendar month . It also offers a few add - ons .
Philo offers mainly amusement and life-style programming , allow by its possessor A&E , AMC , Discovery , Scripps , and Viacom ( that let in popular transmission channel like Comedy Central , CMT , MTV , and others ) . With more than 70 distribution channel usable , there is muckle here to browse through and enjoy . The one downside is a want of sports or local channels since Philo focuses on entertainment and life-style programing .
Channels and price
Philo pop the question a $ 28 - per - calendar month package , making thing importantly more straightforward than many competitors ’ multiple packages and add - ons for unlike prices . It ’s also substantially more affordable than the next close competition , Sling TV ’s $ 40 - per - calendar month basic computer software .
Philo mostly feature its owners ’ channels . Currently , the service put up 70 - plus subscription channels , include popular cablegram networks like AMC , BBC America , BET , Comedy Central , Discovery Channel , Food web , HGTV , IFC , Lifetime , MTV , Nickelodeon , TV Land , and VH1 . There are also 10 gratis channels , include Bloomberg TV and Crackle . However , the major web — ABC , CBS , NBC , Fox , and The CW — and sport channels like ESPN and Fox Sports are consistently absentminded from the divine service .
Philo does , however , propose three premium tot up - on channel :
The good news regarding local meshwork is that you may quickly get them for free ( and in HD , no less ) by buy an affordable HD antenna . If you ’re in that camp and are okay with missing out on sports , Philo is an tempting option and the cheapest manner to capture up on shows .
Features
In addition to livestreaming channels and a aggregation of over 40,000 on - requirement titles , Philo offer a free cloud DVR like many high-priced cyclosis services . you’re able to immortalize outright amount , and Philo allows you to keep recording for up to a class , a generous allocation consider it used to be limited to around a calendar month .
Another feature of speech to consider when shit for streaming service is how many gimmick can tune in simultaneously . Philo offers three co-occurrent streams , meaning up to three hoi polloi can watch at the same time on the same explanation on other gadget . This falls roughly in the midriff of the pack : DirecTV Stream extend three , and Sling TV offer up to three , depending on which software package you choose . Philo also allows the founding ofup to 10 profiles , with individual redeem show and catch history .
Other features include standard telly options like a television scout and browsing capableness , close captioning , a Keep Watching subdivision , and more . Philo also supports photo - in - picture viewing , AirPlay , and video lineament adjustment .
What about watching away from home ? All of Philo ’s livestreaming transmission channel can be access on the go via the company ’s iOS app or the Chrome web browser app on Android devices . Additionally , many of the channels carry by Philo tender their on - demand shows and movies that might not be included in Philo ’s on - demand catalogue . You must download that channel ’s dedicated app and sign in using your Philo certification to get at it . Check out Philo’sTV Everywherehelp page to see which channels put up this service and the platform they support .
Supported devices
Early on , Philo struggled to keep up with rival services regarding machine financial backing . For a foresighted time , the Roku platform was the only way to watch the military service on a tv set , intend you need either aRoku TVor one of the company ’s stream boxesor new streaming sticks . Things have exchange , however , and now Philo is also usable onApple TVand Fire TV devices , includingthe Fire TV Cube . There ’s also app support for Chromecast and Samsung TV , although you ’ll require devices from the last twosome of class or newer for these political platform . An app is available for iOS and iPadOS gadget , as well as Android devices . It ’s also accessible via connection browsers , including popular options like Chrome , Edge , Firefox , and Safari . However , It is unavailable on biz consoles such as Xbox and PlayStation .
Viewing experience
While test Philo , we watched the service on every digest weapons platform , and the photo timbre was respectable regardless of which platform we chose . The picture is slimly softer - look than Sling TV , but not as much as we have see with DirecTV Stream in the past .
When it comes to actually navigating through available shows , the interface is primarily universal from platform to platform , with an easy - to - exercise guidebook for pasture live television set and on - demand option alike .
A alive section also shows what is currently air out , organized alphabetically by television channel . While other streaming inspection and repair tend to start you off on the livestream , Philo allows you to snap through on - demand content or skip to the livestream if you prefer .
Our take
Finding the good streaming service is n’t easy , especially when take care for something comprehensive yet low-priced . In the pillow slip of Philo , if it offers the channels you ’re calculate for , it ’s a dandy choice . This is n’t the cyclosis service for news junkie or mutant fanatics . To save money , look at a Netflix orHulusubscription supplemented by a more special ( but detached ) servicelike Pluto TV .
If you ’re curious about Philo but are n’t quick to consecrate , there ’s a seven - day free trial for new users . Just visit the website formore information . If you ’re still uncertain , make certain to check out our comparison of the othermost democratic live TV streaming servicesto get the ballad of the land .
