Philo TV Channels List, Supported Devices, Plans, and More!

In today‘s rapidly evolving streaming landscape, cord-cutting has become more than just a trend—it‘s a full-scale revolution. According to recent data from Leichtman Research Group, the largest pay-TV providers in the U.S. lost approximately 1.9 million net video subscribers in Q1 2023 alone, accelerating a years-long shift away from traditional cable. This mass exodus has created fertile ground for streaming services offering flexible, affordable alternatives to conventional TV packages.

Among these alternatives, Philo TV has carved out a unique position as the budget champion. But does lower cost necessarily mean lower value? This comprehensive analysis dives deep into everything Philo offers in 2024—from its extensive channel lineup and device compatibility to its feature set and competitive position in the streaming wars.

The Streaming Landscape and Philo‘s Position

Before examining Philo‘s specific offerings, it‘s important to understand its place in the broader streaming ecosystem. The U.S. streaming market has stratified into several distinct categories:

1. Premium SVOD services (Netflix, Disney+, Max)
2. Live TV replacements (YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV)
3. Budget-friendly alternatives (Philo, Sling TV)
4. Free ad-supported services (Pluto TV, Tubi)

Philo occupies a strategic position in the third category, deliberately targeting price-conscious consumers who want live TV without the premium cost associated with sports rights and broadcast networks.

According to Parks Associates research, the average U.S. household now subscribes to 4-5 streaming services, with combined spending approaching $50-60 monthly. In this context, Philo‘s $25 price point becomes especially attractive as a supplementary service alongside content-specific platforms like Netflix or Disney+.

Cord-Cutting Economics: How Philo Fits In

The average cable TV bill now exceeds $110 per month, according to Consumer Reports. This creates a compelling financial case for subscribers considering the following combination:

This represents a potential annual savings of over $740 while still providing access to most desired content for non-sports fans.

What Is Philo TV? A Deeper Look

Named after television pioneer Philo T. Farnsworth, Philo TV launched in November 2017 as a joint venture backed by several major media companies, including A+E Networks, AMC Networks, Discovery, and ViacomCBS (now Paramount Global). This ownership structure gives Philo direct access to content from its parent companies, ensuring channel stability that smaller independent streamers might lack.

Originally priced at just $16 per month for 37 channels, Philo has gradually expanded its offerings while maintaining its position as the most affordable major live TV streaming service. The company‘s headquarters in San Francisco reflects its tech-forward approach, with an interface and feature set that often outperforms more expensive competitors.

Philo‘s Core Business Model Explained

Philo‘s affordability stems from a strategic business decision: deliberately excluding the most expensive content in the television ecosystem. Sports rights and broadcast network carriage fees typically account for 40-50% of a cable or streaming bundle‘s cost. By omitting ESPN (which alone costs distributors approximately $9 per subscriber monthly) and local network affiliates, Philo creates significant cost advantages.

This targeted approach allows Philo to offer channels from major entertainment groups like AMC, Discovery, Paramount, and A&E at a fraction of competitors‘ prices. According to industry analysts, the average per-channel cost in Philo‘s lineup is roughly 30-35 cents, compared to 70-75 cents for sports-inclusive bundles.

Philo TV Plan and Pricing Structure

Philo maintains a refreshingly simple pricing structure in an industry often characterized by complex tiers and hidden fees:

Base Subscription: $25 per month

This single-tier approach eliminates the decision fatigue many consumers experience when signing up for streaming services with multiple packages. The $25 price point has remained stable since June 2021, when it increased from $20 (which had been the standard rate since 2018). This pricing stability stands in stark contrast to competitors like YouTube TV, which has increased from $35 at launch to $72.99 currently.

Add-On Options and Premium Enhancements

While the core package remains Philo‘s primary offering, the service has gradually expanded its premium add-on options to provide additional content flexibility:

Movie Add-Ons

Specialty Add-Ons

According to Philo‘s internal data, approximately 22% of subscribers opt for at least one premium add-on, with MGM+ being the most popular choice among current subscribers.

Hidden Value: No Additional Fees

Unlike many competitors and traditional cable providers, Philo doesn‘t charge:

• Regional sports network fees
• Broadcast TV fees
• HD technology fees
• DVR service fees

This transparency in pricing contributes significantly to Philo‘s overall value proposition. When comparing streaming services, these hidden costs often add $10-15 to competitors‘ advertised prices.

Complete Philo TV Channels List (2024)

Philo‘s channel lineup has steadily expanded since launch, now featuring over 70 channels in its base package. While quantity matters, understanding the content mix is essential for determining whether Philo aligns with your viewing preferences.

Entertainment Networks (28 channels)

Entertainment channels form the backbone of Philo‘s offering, providing a mix of scripted series, reality shows, and movies:

• A&E
• AMC
• AXS TV
• BBC America
• BET
• Catchy Comedy
• CMT
• Comedy Central
• FYI
• Game Show Network
• Hallmark Channel
• Hallmark Drama
• Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
• Heroes & Icons
• IFC
• Lifetime
• Logo
• MTV
• MTV Classic
• MTV Live
• MTV2
• Paramount Network
• POP TV
• REVOLT
• Sundance TV
• TV Land
• VH1
• VICE
• WE tv

Programming Highlights: This category includes popular shows like "The Walking Dead" (AMC), "Yellowstone" (Paramount Network), Hallmark original movies, classic MTV reality shows, and A&E‘s documentary series.

Lifestyle & Reality (13 channels)

These channels focus on home improvement, cooking, relationships, and everyday life:

• Cooking Channel
• Crime + Investigation
• DABL
• Deck the Hallmark
• Food Network
• HGTV
• Lifetime Movie Network (LMN)
• Magnolia Network
• OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network)
• Tastemade
• TLC
• Travel Channel
• UP tv

Programming Highlights: Fan favorites include "Property Brothers" (HGTV), "Chopped" (Food Network), "90 Day Fiancé" (TLC), and Chip and Joanna Gaines‘ programming on Magnolia Network.

Documentary & Learning (12 channels)

For viewers who prefer educational and informative content:

• American Heroes Channel
• Animal Planet
• Discovery Channel
• Discovery Family
• Discovery Life
• EarthxTV
• HISTORY
• Investigation Discovery
• Military History Channel
• MotorTrend
• Science Channel
• Smithsonian Channel

Programming Highlights: Documentary fans enjoy "Planet Earth" (Discovery), "Ancient Aliens" (History), true crime on Investigation Discovery, and automotive content on MotorTrend.

News & Information (4 channels)

While not comprehensive, Philo offers some news options:

• AccuWeather Network
• BBC World News
• Cheddar News
• Law & Crime

Programming Highlights: BBC World News provides international coverage, while AccuWeather offers local and national forecasts. Law & Crime features live courtroom coverage of high-profile cases.

Family & Kids (4 channels)

Channels targeting younger viewers:

• Nick Jr.
• Nickelodeon
• Nicktoons
• TeenNick

Programming Highlights: These channels carry beloved children‘s shows like "PAW Patrol," "SpongeBob SquarePants," and programming for various age groups from preschool to teenagers.

Faith-Based (5 channels)

Channels catering to religious and family-oriented programming:

• FETV
• getTV
• Great American Faith & Living
• Great American Family
• INSP

Programming Highlights: These channels feature faith-based movies, series, and holiday specials, with Great American Family (formerly GAC Family) increasingly competing with Hallmark for seasonal content.

Multicultural (5 channels)

Diverse programming targeting specific cultural interests:

• aspirTV
• BET Her
• CLEO TV
• Story Television
• TV One

Programming Highlights: These channels feature content created for and by diverse communities, including African American-focused programming on BET Her and TV One.

Special Interest (2 channels)

Niche channels with specific focus areas:

• Start TV
• Destination America

Programming Highlights: Start TV features female-led crime dramas, while Destination America focuses on American culture, food, and travel.

Channel Additions Over Time

Philo has steadily expanded its channel lineup since launch:

This expansion demonstrates Philo‘s commitment to increasing value without significant price increases.

Free Additional Channels

Beyond the 70+ channels in the base package, Philo offers a substantial collection of 75+ free additional FAST (Free Ad-Supported Television) channels. These are organized in the Philo interface alongside regular channels but don‘t count toward the main channel count:

Entertainment FAST Channels

• AMC Thrillers
• CINEVAULT
• CINEVAULT Westerns
• CINEVAULT: Classics
• Comedy Dynamics
• Crackle
• IFC Films Picks
• Movie Favorites by Lifetime
• MovieSphere by Lionsgate
• Stories by AMC

Reality & Lifestyle FAST Channels

• All Reality WE tv
• All Weddings WE tv
• Cold Case Files
• Confess by Nosey
• Cowboy Way
• Crime 360
• Crime Cults Killers by A&E
• Dance Moms
• Deal Zone
• Duck Dynasty
• Growing Up Hip Hop WE tv
• Ice Road Truckers
• Modern Marvels
• Tiny House Nation

Music & Culture FAST Channels

• Vevo ‘80s
• Vevo ‘90s
• Vevo Country
• Vevo Features
• Vevo Hip-Hop
• Vevo Pop
• REVOLT
• AXS TV Now

Special Interest FAST Channels

• The Bob Ross Channel
• OuterSphere by Lionsgate
• Outside TV
• PlayersTV
• Portlandia
• The Pet Collective
• Tastemade Home
• Tastemade Travel
• UnXplained Zone

According to industry data, these FAST channels add approximately 15,000 additional hours of content to the Philo library, substantially increasing the service‘s overall value proposition.

Technical Specifications and Streaming Quality

As a technology-focused streaming service, Philo‘s technical performance is worth examining in detail:

Streaming Resolution and Quality

Philo currently streams content at the following quality levels:

Unlike some competitors, Philo automatically adjusts streaming quality based on available bandwidth rather than requiring manual selection. The service currently does not support 4K streaming or Dolby Atmos/surround sound, though company representatives have indicated these features are on the long-term roadmap.

Bandwidth Usage

For households with data caps, Philo‘s bandwidth usage is an important consideration:

For comparison, this is significantly less intensive than 4K streaming on services like Netflix, which can consume 7-8 GB per hour.

Philo TV Supported Devices

Device compatibility is crucial for any streaming service. Philo supports a wide range of platforms, though with some notable exceptions:

Smart TVs

Streaming Devices

Mobile Devices

Computers

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