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Streaming Services review
Philo logo

Philo review

Best for entertainment only

Entertainment and lifestyle live TV with unlimited DVR, without locals or major sports. Viewers who mainly watch entertainment and lifestyle channels and do not need live sports or locals from their streaming service. We rank it #8 of 8 in our streaming services comparison, with an editorial score of 7.8 out of 10.

Updated By the ChoosyOwl editorial teamHow we rank
7.8/10
Our editorial score

Philo scores well on Value transparency for a short plan list and no contract, and on Features with a year of unlimited DVR, multiple streams and profiles. It scores lowest on Local & sports coverage because it is built around entertainment and lifestyle channels rather than local stations or major sports networks, which limits its Channel & content coverage for many households.

How we score streaming services

Visit site (Philo, opens in a new tab)

Quick facts

Our rank#8 of 8
Best forBest for entertainment only
Service typeLive TV
Strongest forEntertainment, lifestyle
Cloud DVRUnlimited, recordings kept for a year
Facts checkedNovember 14, 2026

Details are general and can change. Check current plans, prices and terms on the Philo site. See the Philo company profile in our brand directory.

Overview

Philo is a live TV streaming service focused on entertainment, lifestyle and reality channels, with a large on-demand library. It keeps things simple, with two plans: Essential, and Bundle+, which adds more streaming content. It also offers free channels you can watch without subscribing.

The trade-off is coverage. Philo is built around entertainment channels and has not carried local broadcast stations or the major sports networks, so it is not a full cable replacement for most households. Many Philo users pair it with an antenna for locals. Check the current channel list on the site before you subscribe.

Philo says both plans include unlimited cloud DVR with recordings kept for a year, streaming on up to three devices at once and up to 10 profiles. Philo may offer a free trial; check the current terms.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Simple to understand and sign up for
  • Good fit for entertainment and lifestyle viewers
  • Generous DVR terms
  • No annual contract

Cons

  • No local broadcast channels
  • No major sports networks
  • Limited news coverage compared with full live TV services

Key features

  • Entertainment, lifestyle and reality channel lineup
  • Two plans: Essential and Bundle+
  • Unlimited DVR with recordings kept for a year
  • Up to three streams and 10 profiles
  • Free channels without a subscription

Who Philo is for

A good fit if

Viewers who mainly watch entertainment and lifestyle channels and do not need live sports or locals from their streaming service.

Look elsewhere if

Sports fans or anyone who wants local channels in their streaming plan.

How we scored Philo

Philo scores well on Value transparency for a short plan list and no contract, and on Features with a year of unlimited DVR, multiple streams and profiles. It scores lowest on Local & sports coverage because it is built around entertainment and lifestyle channels rather than local stations or major sports networks, which limits its Channel & content coverage for many households.

Our streaming services score weighs channel & content coverage (30%), local & sports coverage (20%), value transparency (20%), features (15%), device support & ease of use (15%). See the methodology.

Philo alternatives

  1. #1
    YouTube TV logo

    YouTube TV

    Best overall

    Broad live TV lineup with local channels in most markets and an included cloud DVR.

    • Live local channels in most US markets (check your ZIP code)
    • Unlimited cloud DVR space
    • Up to six household accounts and three streams at once
    • Optional add-ons, including NFL Sunday Ticket and premium channels
    9.3/10
    Editorial score
    Visit site (YouTube TV, opens in a new tab) Read review
  2. #2
    Hulu + Live TV logo

    Hulu + Live TV

    Best live TV + on-demand bundle

    Live TV channels plus Hulu's on-demand library and Disney bundle content.

    • Live channels including locals in many markets
    • Hulu on-demand library included
    • Disney bundle content (check current bundle contents)
    • Cloud DVR included; check current limits
    9.0/10
    Editorial score
    Visit site (Hulu + Live TV, opens in a new tab) Read review
  3. #3
    D(

    DIRECTV (streaming)

    Best for regional sports

    Cable-style packages over the internet, with locals in every package and regional sports on higher tiers.

    • Local channels included with every package (varies by market)
    • Regional sports networks with CHOICE and higher
    • Genre Packs such as MySports and MyNews
    • Gemini streaming device or your own devices
    8.7/10
    Editorial score
    Visit site (DIRECTV (streaming), opens in a new tab) Read review

Head-to-head

See all 8 streaming services compared

Philo FAQ

Does Philo have local channels?

Philo is built around entertainment and lifestyle channels and has not carried local broadcast stations. Many Philo users pair it with an over-the-air antenna for local news and network shows. Check the current channel list.

Does Philo have sports?

Philo is entertainment-focused and does not center on the major sports networks. If sports matter to you, look at YouTube TV, Fubo, DIRECTV or Hulu + Live TV.

Does Philo have a free trial?

Philo may offer a free trial. Check the current terms on the Philo site.

Sources and fact check

We checked the facts on this page against Philo's own website on .