Barebones streaming service Philo targets “late summer” for Apple TV app launch

The live streaming TV service Philo is now set a firmer time frame of “late summer” to launch on Apple TV, a company spokesperson has confirmed to BESTAppleTV.com. In addition, the company is now offering paid subscription authentication for subscribers to watch programming through the apps of 45 content providers like AMC, A&E, Food Network and DIY Network.

The $16-a-month bundle of 37 cable channels has been available since last November on Roku, iOS-based devices like the iPhone, Google Cast and through Chromecast via a Chrome browser. The company confirmed last November it would be available on Apple TV, but didn’t give a firmer commitment until now. The service also offers a 46-channel package that includes everything in the intro package and adds channels like Logo and Nicktoons.

The service has confirmed the majority of its channels would be offering ‘TV Everywhere’ authentication for subscribers at no additional fee and has created an online list of those channels for customers. This gives customers the ability to watch on-demand and live programming of those channels, if offered, through their individual apps.

What’s missing from the Philo channel lineup tells a lot of the story of its target audience and strategy. Philo has no sports channels, no major television networks, and no local network affiliate channels like its competitors Hulu with Live TV, DirecTV Now, PlayStation Vue, and Sling TV.

The new service is a joint venture of A+E Networks, AMC Networks, Discovery, Scripps Networks, and Viacom.