What Channels Does Philo Have? | Full Lineup And Cost

Cutting the cord often forces a tough choice between price and variety. Many streaming services have bloated their bundles to resemble the expensive cable packages they promised to replace. Philo takes a different approach. By excluding expensive sports and local broadcast networks, it keeps the monthly cost significantly lower than competitors like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV.

If you love reality TV, documentaries, dramas, and classic sitcoms, this service likely covers your needs. Understanding exactly what you get—and what you give up—is critical before you sign up. Below is the complete breakdown of the current channel lineup, add-on packages, and the technical limitations you need to know.

The Core Philo Channel Lineup Explained

The standard subscription includes a single base package. You do not need to navigate confusing tiers to get the best channels. For one flat fee, you gain access to a robust list of entertainment and knowledge-based networks. The lineup leans heavily on content from Discovery, Viacom, AMC Networks, and Hallmark.

We have categorized the channels below to help you find your favorites quickly.

Lifestyle And Home

Philo is arguably the best budget option for fans of home renovation, cooking, and hobbyist programming. These networks are the bread and butter of the service.

• HGTV: Home of House Hunters and Property Brothers.
• Food Network: Essential for cooking competitions and culinary guides.
• TLC: The go-to spot for relationship reality shows.
• Magnolia Network: Chip and Joanna Gaines’ curated lifestyle channel.
• Travel Channel: Paranormal investigations and travel logs.
• Cooking Channel: Dedicated food programming.
• Destination America: Travel and lifestyle content.
• FYI: Lifestyle and reality programming.
• Tastemade: Food and travel video network.

Entertainment And Drama

If you follow popular scripted dramas or reality series, the inclusion of AMC and Paramount Network is a major selling point. You get live access to hit shows as they air.

• AMC: Prestige dramas like The Walking Dead universe.
• Paramount Network: The home of Yellowstone (check current streaming rights).
• A&E: Crime series, biographies, and reality TV.
• Comedy Central: Stand-up specials and The Daily Show.
• BET: Black entertainment, music, and culture.
• MTV: Reality shows and pop culture.
• VH1: Music and lifestyle reality series.
• Lifetime: Original movies and reality dramas.
• Hallmark Channel: Famous for seasonal movies and feel-good series.
• Hallmark Mystery: Formerly Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.
• Hallmark Family: Formerly Hallmark Drama.
• Sundance TV: Independent films and unique series.
• IFC: Alternative comedy and films.
• TV Land: Classic sitcoms.
• WE tv: Reality programming.
• OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.
• Game Show Network (GSN): Classic and modern game shows.

Knowledge And History

Documentary lovers find excellent value here. The service includes the primary factual networks found on more expensive cable tiers.

• Discovery Channel: Science, nature, and engineering.
• History Channel: Historical documentaries and reality series.
• Animal Planet: Wildlife programming.
• Investigation Discovery (ID): True crime marathons.
• Science Channel: Space and technology focused.
• American Heroes Channel: Military history.
• Vice: News and cultural documentaries.
• MotorTrend: Automotive content.

Kids And Family

Parents often switch to Philo because it retains the Nickelodeon suite, which is sometimes missing from other budget bundles.

• Nickelodeon: Top-tier cartoons and live-action kids’ shows.
• Nick Jr.: Programming for preschoolers.
• TeenNick: Shows aimed at adolescents.
• Nicktoons: Animation classics.
• Discovery Family: Family-friendly factual entertainment.
• Universal Kids: Content from NBCUniversal’s library.

News And Information

This is where the distinction is sharpest. You won’t find 24-hour cable news giants here, but there are global options.

• BBC World News: International perspectives.
• BBC America: Mix of news and sci-fi/nature shows.
• AccuWeather Network: Continuous weather coverage.
• Cheddar News: Business and tech-focused live news.

Free Ad-Supported TV (FAST) Channels

Beyond the cable channels, Philo integrates dozens of FAST channels directly into the guide. These add volume to the library without increasing the price. Examples include USA Today, RetroCrush (anime), Crackle, and Revry.

Major Channels Missing From The Platform

The low price tag exists because Philo skips the most expensive carriage fees. Knowing what is absent helps you avoid post-signup regret.

Quick check: If you need live sports or local 6:00 PM news, this service is not a standalone solution for you.

No Local Broadcast Stations

Philo does not carry ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, or The CW. To watch these, you will need a separate digital antenna connected to your TV. This is a common trade-off for “skinny bundles.”

No Major Sports Networks

There are no sports-specific channels. You will not find:

• ESPN family of networks
• Fox Sports (FS1, FS2)
• NBC Sports
• Regional Sports Networks (Bally, NBC Sports Regional)
• NFL Network or NBA TV

No Major Cable News

CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News are absent. If you rely on these specific outlets for daily briefings, you would need to supplement your subscription with their standalone apps or websites.

Other notable omissions include Bravo, E!, Disney Channel, FX, USA Network, Turner Classic Movies (TCM), TNT, and TBS. The lack of Turner networks (TNT/TBS) is significant for basketball and baseball fans.

Premium Add-On Packages Available

You can bolster the base package with premium movie channels. These come with additional monthly fees but allow you to keep all your billing in one place.

Movies Plus ($3/month)

This is a high-value add-on for movie buffs. It adds:

• Reelz: Famous for On Patrol: Live.
• Sony Movies: A selection of theatrical releases.
• HDNet Movies: Theatrical films in high definition.
• MGM HD: Classic library titles.
• Cinémoi: Fashion and international film.

MGM+ ($6/month)

Formerly EPIX, this add-on provides access to MGM’s vast library of movies and original series like Godfather of Harlem. It includes the linear MGM+ channel plus on-demand access.

STARZ ($10/month)

Adds the full suite of STARZ channels (STARZ, STARZ Encore, STARZ Kids & Family). This is excellent for fans of Outlander and recent Hollywood blockbusters.

Unlimited DVR And User Experience

The channel list is only half the story. How you watch matters just as much. Philo includes an Unlimited DVR with every subscription. You can save as many shows or movies as you want.

Deeper fix: Recordings are kept for one year. This is a massive upgrade from the old 30-day limit. You can fast-forward through commercials on recorded content, though live TV will still have standard ad breaks.

You can stream on up to three devices simultaneously. The platform also allows you to create up to 10 distinct user profiles on a single account. This means your spouse or children can have their own watch history and saved shows without messing up your recommendations.

For a detailed look at compatible devices, you can check the official Philo supported devices list to ensure your TV or stick is ready to go.

Philo Vs Competitors

Comparing Philo to other services helps clarify its position in the market. It occupies a specific niche for non-sports watchers.

Feature	Philo	Sling TV (Blue or Orange)	YouTube TV
Approx. Price	$28/mo	$40/mo	$72.99/mo
Channel Count	70+	30-40+	100+
Sports Channels	None	Limited (ESPN or FS1)	Comprehensive
Locals	None	Select markets only	Yes (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX)
DVR Storage	Unlimited (1 year)	50 hours	Unlimited

Sling TV: Offers a middle ground. You get some sports (ESPN on Orange, FS1 on Blue) and news (CNN), but the channel count is lower unless you buy add-ons. The DVR is also more restrictive.

YouTube TV / Hulu + Live TV: These are full cable replacements. They include locals, sports, and news but cost more than double the price of Philo. If you need live NFL games or local news, these are the better, albeit pricier, choices.

Frndly TV: This is a newer, even cheaper competitor ($7.99+). It offers Hallmark, A&E, and History but lacks the Viacom networks (MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon) and Discovery channels found on Philo.

How To Access Philo Channels

Getting started is straightforward. Philo works on nearly all modern streaming hardware. You do not need a cable box or a contract.

• Roku: All current models supported.
• Fire TV: Amazon Stick and Cube.
• Apple TV: 4th generation and later.
• Android TV / Google TV: Chromecast and built-in smart TV interfaces.
• Mobile: iOS and Android apps allow viewing on the go.
• Web: Stream directly via Chrome, Edge, Safari, or Firefox.

Action step: Check your internet speed — You need roughly 3 Mbps for standard definition and 7 Mbps for HD streams to prevent buffering.

Is The Philo Channel Package Right For You?

Philo is a targeted product. It does not try to be everything to everyone. It succeeds by serving a specific type of viewer extremely well.

It is a perfect fit if:

• You prioritize budget: You want to lower your monthly bills below $30.
• You love lifestyle TV: You watch mostly HGTV, Food Network, and Hallmark.
• You have kids: Nickelodeon is a must-have for your household.
• You don’t watch sports: You are tired of subsidizing ESPN fees for other people.

You should look elsewhere if:

• You need live sports: You cannot watch the big game here.
• You want local news: You will need an antenna or a different app.
• You want conservative news: Fox News is not included.

The service offers a 7-day free trial. This is the best way to test the interface and ensure your favorite shows are available. For many households, pairing Philo with a digital antenna provides a comprehensive TV experience for a fraction of the cost of traditional cable.