This post is sponsored by Philo.
Prices are skyrocketing for just about everything these days and entertainment is no exception. With streamers upping their subscription costs every few business days, consumers are becoming even more particular about the subscriptions they want to keep, especially when it comes to cable.
It’s becoming harder and harder to justify the giant cable packages of years past when you’re also paying for multiple streaming services. Those 1000+ channel packages just aren’t worth it anymore.
That’s where Philo comes in. Philo is a fantastic cable alternative that gives you an expansive catalog of channels to choose from at the lowest cost of any live TV streamer on the market.
Here’s everything Philo has to offer
Philo is a singular package streamer that offers both live tv channels and on-demand content. The streamer houses 70+ channels, including A&E, AMC, BET, Discovery, Lifetime, History, TVOne, Hallmark Channel, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, and Paramount Network. You also have 70,000 hours of on-demand shows and movies to choose from, all for just $25 a month.
For premium channels, you can get STARZ, MGM+ and Philo’s “Movies and More” package as add-ons to your subscription.
Philo Base
Try 7 days free
- Unlimited cloud DVR saved for 1 year
- Stream on three screens
- Shows movies and 70+ channels
- 7-day free trial
$28/month
If you’d like to test out Philo before committing, the service offers a 7-day free trial so you can explore all of its content and features.
Enjoy quality features
Along with all of the watch options, you also get access to some great features with your Philo subscription. Here’s a quick rundown of them:
- Unlimited DVR. Record all of your favorite shows and movies and save them for a up to a year.
- 3 Simultaneous streams. You can watch Philo on up to 3 devices at same time.
- Channel guide. Make channel surfing as simple as can be.
- 10 custom profiles. To keep everyone’s watchlists separate and interfaces personalized.
Watch anywhere and everywhere
Philo is supported on a range of devices including web browsers, Amazon Fire TV, iOS/Android, Amazon Fire tablets, Google TV (Formerly Android TV), Samsung SmartTVs (2018+), Apple TV, Roku, and Chromecast.
You also have access to TV Everywhere apps and websites for networks that support TV Everywhere. Check out our Guide to TV Everywhere to see what Philo channels are supported.
How does Philo compare to cable?
Now that we know a little about what’s in Philo’s corner, let’s take a look at how it stacks up against an actual cable service. For this example, we’ll use DirecTV’s Entertainment package.
| Philo | DirecTV Entertainment Package | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $25/month | $65/month for 24 months + additional fees for extra TVs, cancellation, etc. |
| Free Trial Length | 7 days | None |
| Number of Channels | 70+ with add-ons | 75+ via internet, 165+ via satellite |
| DVR Capacity | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Device Support | Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Google TV, Chromecast, Smart TVs, iOS/Android | (for the app) Apple TV, Google TV, Chromecast, iOS/Android, Fire TV, Roku |
| Simultaneous Streams | 3 | 3 |
Philo looks like a better option on just about every point.
The Entertainment package is DirecTV’s cheapest cable package and the service does have a few advantages — namely, you get access to more channels. But look at the price you’ll pay for cable, and you’ll start to wonder if those extra channels are worth it — particularly when you could pair Philo with other streaming services to fill any programming gaps and probably still save money.
Philo clearly outshines the Entertainment package is its pricing and lack of hidden fees. DirecTV’s Entertainment package excludes the Advanced Receiver Service Fee, which is an extra $15/month. There are also state and local taxes or other governmental fees and charges that you have to worry about.
On top of that, in order to get those 90 extra channels, you’ll need a satellite, which has a separate 24-month agreement and a $19.95 activation fee. You’ll also have to sign equipment leases for the cable boxes and satellite. If you want cable for multiple TVs in your home, you’ll have to pay equipment fees for each TV you’re adding cable to.
You don’t have to worry about any of this with Philo. You sign up, pay your $25 a month, and get access to everything they offer on as many devices as they support, for free! While some of DirecTV’s features are enticing, the extra hassle and cost isn’t worth it.
Philo offers up a similar comparison table on their website, and suggests the comparison is about the same between cable competitors Spectrum and Xfinity.
You might get more channels on cable, but you won’t get a free trial or as much DVR space — and the price difference speaks for itself.
Our takeaway: Ditch cable, add Philo
Philo is an affordable cable alternative that gives you everything you need to officially cut the cord. With its vast content library and features combined with the inexpensive price point makes Philo a great choice to add to your streaming repertoire. Give it a try by signing up for a free trial today and see for yourself whether it’s the right streamer for you.
And for a more in depth look at Philo, check out our full review of the service.
Davan Hamilton • Author
Davan Hamilton is an editor and writer based in Jacksonville, FL. Holding a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, her writing spans a wide range, from essays on film criticism and analysis to surreal poetry. Now, she works for Flixed as an editor, continuing to ignore the list of passion projects she’s accumulated. When she’s not glued to her computer, you can find her building endless amounts of Lego sets, binge-reading manga, or playing with (fighting) her cat.
Kelsey Reynolds • Editor
Kelsey is a content strategist based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Minnesota. Kelsey was drawn to working at Flixed because the team was so open, motivated, and curious. She most enjoys thinking about how to blend programmatic and editorial content to answer readers’ questions as completely and efficiently as possible. When she’s not at her computer, Kelsey can usually be found working in her garden or walking her two dogs in the park.
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