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Streaming platform Philo offers a strong line-up of entertainment and lifestyle TV, providing viewers with 59 channels of live broadcasts in addition to a solid library of on-demand content. Philo gives users unlimited recording storage for up to 30 days, lets viewers create up to 10 different profiles per account, and allows them to watch on up to three streams at the same time. It has a seven-day free trial.
Philo at a Glance
| Philo |
How We Evaluated Philo
The live TV streaming market has evolved dramatically over the past few years as increasing numbers of viewers move away from traditional content providers. Cable subscription cancellations increased by 32.8% in 2018, with US viewers saving up to $104 a month on average as a result, according to data from MarketScale.
Consequently, there is a wide range of live TV streaming services available to choose from, all offering different channels and features. We took a closer look at a handful of the best live TV streaming platforms available and compared them with what Philo has to offer.
We lined Philo up against four of its main competitors, looking at the price of the service, the number of channels they provide access to, and whether they offer a free trial. We also assessed the number of simultaneous streams and size of cloud DVR storage that subscribers receive from the various platforms.
Philo vs. Other Live Streaming Services
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Key Philo Considerations
Affordable, appealing live TV streaming
Philo provides viewers with an affordable opportunity to cut the cord on cable. Of the services we considered, only AT&T Watch TV ($15 per month) offers a lower price point than Philo’s $20 per month.
Philo doesn’t scrimp on design, with an appealing dark interface offset by white and dark gray icons. It also has a useful search function that helps users discover channels, episodes, shows, and movies.
The service recommends popular shows, enables users to save content, and highlights trending shows and movies. It also allows viewers to browse all current, future, and past programming options in its Guide section and lists all available channels in alphabetical order.
Strong but limited channel lineup
Philo’s channel lineup doesn’t include any sports channels and only limited news services. But it does deliver access to popular channels like Comedy Central, Discovery Channel, the Food network, BBC America, Hallmark Channel, and Travel Channel. Its channel offering is set in place across the U.S. and isn’t subject to any location restrictions. However, on the flip side, Philo doesn’t provide access to local broadcasts like CBS, CNN, and NBC, or some networks available through services like AT&T Watch TV ($15 per month), Hulu + Live TV ($55 per month), Sling TV (up to $45 per month) and YouTube TV ($50 per month).
Unlimited cloud storage
One of the biggest draws of Philo is its Cloud DVR storage. Philo subscribers can record as many shows and movies as they’d like. The service permits viewers to keep recordings for 30 days. Of the services that we reviewed, only YouTube TV beats Philo’s offering, providing subscribers with unlimited cloud DVR storage for nine months.
Simple, secure sign-up
An interesting feature of the Philo service is that users sign up and access their account using their mobile phone number. It also doesn’t require them to have a password. Instead, when someone registers for the service, Philo sends them a text message or an email with a six-digit account confirmation code. This is a more secure process than requiring the use of a password.
The Bottom Line
As people continue to move away from cable services, the number of live streaming offerings continues to grow. Philo is well-placed to take advantage of this trend with its strong live streaming TV lineup and on-demand options likely to appeal to people who aren’t bothered by a lack of news and sports coverage. Philo offers affordable access to a wide range of entertainment channels with a solid set of features, such as multiple simultaneous streams, an impressive 10 profiles per account, and unlimited recording for 30 days.
About the Authors
Rob Latham is a writer focused on technology, music, entertainment and sports. He is particularly passionate about the role that technology plays in improving peoples’ lives.
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