Streaming live TV over the internet may offer more flexibility than a cable or satellite package, but it isn’t necessarily cheaper. Many of the top streaming services out there offer massive channel lineups compared to cable, but after you pay for them (and your internet connection), you’re pretty much breaking even. But is that really what cord cutters need? Philo, an up-and-coming live TV streaming service aiming to compete with the likes of Sling TV and its contemporaries, is betting the answer is no.

While device support was initially limited to Roku, the Philo app is now on Apple TV, Android TV, and

Amazon Fire TV

. So if you’re a user of one of those platforms who hasn’t considered the service because it wasn’t available on your streaming box of choice, now is a great time to take a look at it.

What is Philo?

While Philo is similar to Sling TV, PlayStation Vue, AT&T TV Now, YouTube TV, or Hulu + Live TV in terms of how it works and the technology behind it, it is a very different offering. Instead of trying to replace a full cable subscription, it offers a smaller subset of channels, and while it’s more expensive now than when it launched, it is still a compelling service at $20 per month for new subscriptions.

AT&T offers the closest competitor to Philo when it comes to price and programming with its $15-per-month AT&T WatchTV service. That service might have a lower price, but it also offers fewer channels. In the end, which service you choose will likely have to do with the channels offered, though AT&T is hoping to draw more users to its service by offering it free to customers of certain AT&T Wireless plans.

There are some trade-offs for that low price, however. Philo is focused on offering mainly entertainment and lifestyle programming, which makes sense, given that most of its programming is provided by owners A&E, AMC, Discovery, Scripps, and Viacom (provider of channels like Comedy Central, CMT, MTV, and others). This focus means you won’t find two things that are often prominently featured in other services’ packages: Sports channels and local network channels. But what you will find are plenty of sought-after channels plucked from cable’s deeper catalog.

Channels and price

At launch, Philo offered two packages: A $16 per month 45-channel lineup, and a $20 per month 58-channel lineup. However, the company has recently made the decision to eliminate the cheaper package as of May 6, 2019, and will only offer the $20 per month package going forward. Existing members who subscribed to the $16 per month lineup, are grandfathered and can keep that subscription until further notice. Even at $20 however, it’s still cheaper than Sling TV’s regular monthly price of $25. In addition to a lack of sports or local channels, several big names are missing from Philo’s lineup, including Turner channels like CNN and TNT, and the big four networks — Fox, CBS, NBC, and Disney-owned ABC, along with other Disney offerings like ESPN.

The good news when it comes to local networks is that many of us can easily get them for free (and in HD, no less) with the purchase of an affordable HD antenna. If you’re in that camp, and you don’t mind missing out on sports, Philo is an enticing option, and the cheapest way to catch up on banner shows like The Walking Dead or The Daily Show live. Here’s what’s included in the $20 per month Philo subscription:

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