Philo

Philo

Subscription streaming service with DVR

Overview

Philo is a subscription streaming service that provides live access to more than 60 channels, including A&E, AMC, Discovery, and HGTV. Viewers pay a monthly fee to watch live TV online, with unlimited DVR and the ability to stream on multiple devices. Unlike traditional cable, Philo focuses on affordability and flexibility by offering a cable alternative without long-term contracts. Its goal is to deliver a straightforward, value-focused live TV experience online for users who want variety at a lower cost.

About Philo

Simplify's Rating
Why Philo is rated
B-
Rated B on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Consumer Software

Entertainment

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

Series D

Total Funding

$158.2M

Headquarters

San Francisco, California

Founded

2011

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • On August 12, 2026, Philo added discovery+ directly inside the app.
  • Philo launched pause ads in 2025, creating higher-value inventory for Magnite and programmatic buyers.
  • March 10, 2026 pricing reset restored a $25 entry plan and seven-day trial.

What critics are saying

  • Warner Bros. Discovery, AMC Networks, and others control must-have content; renewal disputes damage Bundle+ economics.
  • Essential’s $25 price faces ruthless compression from Tubi, Pluto TV, and YouTube TV promotions.
  • If premium partners exit or reprice in 2027, Philo loses its bundle-and-upsell engine.

What makes Philo unique

  • Philo sells entertainment-only live TV, avoiding sports costs that inflate YouTube TV.
  • Bundle+ unifies live channels, AMC+, discovery+, HBO Max, and free channels in one app.
  • Unlimited DVR with one-year storage and 150-plus free channels sharpen Philo’s value proposition.

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Funding

Total Funding

$158.2M

Below

Industry Average

Funded Over

8 Rounds

Series D funding is typically for companies that are already well-established but need more funding to continue their growth. This round is often used to stabilize the company or prepare for an IPO.
Series D Funding Comparison
Below Average

Industry standards

$77M
$50M
Philo
$70M
Twilio
$80M
Handshake
$100M
Affirm

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Flexible Work Hours

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

Parental Leave

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Family Planning Benefits

Fertility Treatment Support

Professional Development Budget

Conference Attendance Budget

Home Office Stipend

Phone/Internet Stipend

Wellness Program

Gym Membership

Commuter Benefits

Employee Discounts

Company Social Events

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

2%

1 year growth

1%

2 year growth

3%
The Desk
Aug 12th, 2026
Philo brings full Discovery Plus catalog into app for bundled subscribers.

Philo brings full Discovery Plus catalog into app for bundled subscribers. [email protected] August 12, 2026 Philo is making it easier for its subscribers to watch content from Discovery Plus by integrating its library of lifestyle and knowledge shows directly into the app. The move means Philo's Bundle Plus ($33 per month) subscribers won't have to switch out of Philo's platform to watch shows and documentaries from Discovery Plus - the same content is available within the Philo app, no app changes required. The integration went live Tuesday and includes full back libraries and complete seasons of shows including "90 Day Fiancé," "Chopped" and "Gold Rush." Content from HGTV, Food Network, TLC, ID, OWN, Animal Planet and Discovery is also searchable and streamable alongside Philo's live channels, free streaming channels and premium libraries. Philo said the update is part of its effort to create a more unified streaming experience by placing live television, premium subscription content and free ad-supported channels inside one app. The move continues Philo's partnership with Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) and follows the HBO Max Standard Ad-Free upgrade that Philo introduced in June. (WBD is one of several investor-owners in Philo.) "Philo has continued to build a unified experience where live TV, premium streaming, and free content live in one place," Adam Salmons, the Head of Content and Business Development at Philo, said in a statement this week. "Adding (Discovery Plus) directly into our app now gives Philo customers even more of the content they love, without having to switch apps." The in-app Discovery Plus experience is included at no additional cost for Bundle Plus subscribers. Philo is also introducing a Discovery Plus Ad-Free upgrade for $8 per month, available exclusively through the Philo website. The ad-free option is not currently available through third-party billing platforms. Bundle Plus also offers access to content from AMC Plus, All Reality and HBO Max, though the latter still involves switching out of the Philo platform into the standalone HBO Max in order to watch shows and movies from that service. Bundle Plus includes more than 70 live cable networks, over 150 free streaming channels and a cloud-based DVR that saves content for at least one year. Movie networks like MGM Plus and Starz are available for separate fees. A lower-priced plan, called Essential, includes the same channels and cloud DVR perk, but not access to AMC Plus, HBO Max, All Reality or Discovery Plus. Essential costs $25 per month.

The Streamable
Aug 12th, 2026
Philo launches discovery+ library in app.

Philo launches discovery+ library in app. Previously, Philo Bundle+ subscribers had to switch to the discovery+ app to watch the streamer's content. - August 12, 2026 Known for breaking major streaming stories, he's covered everything from Netflix policy shifts to Peacock's ad-tier changes. A sci-fi fan and Toshiba Fire TV user, he brings sharp analysis and a love for the genre to his reporting. Philo is making it easier for subscribers of its Bundle+ plan to watch the extra content that comes along with their subscription. For $33 per month, Philo subscribers can enjoy the streamer's full channel package, plus on-demand content from AMC+, discovery+, and HBO Max. Until now, Philo Bundle+ customers were forced to switch apps to watch discovery+ titles, but the streamer has announced that the discovery+ on-demand catalog is now available within the Philo app. Key details: * Available now: The discovery+ on-demand library can now be streamed within the Philo app. * Upgrades, too: Customers can also now upgrade to ad-free Philo for an additional $8 per month. * Join the club: On-demand content from AMC+ can also be watched through the Philo app. Article continues below this related video: Something is interfering with this video Turn off ad blockers to watch this or try refreshing this page 10 Amazing Movies Nobody Knows About As of this week, Philo Bundle+ subscribers can watch discovery+ on-demand titles like "90 Day Fiancé," Shark Week, and much more directly within the Philo app. It's the service's latest step in its efforts to create a unified viewing experience for subscribers with as little friction as possible. In addition, Philo Bundle+ subscribers can now upgrade their discovery+ subscription to ad-free for an extra $8 per month. The launch of the ad-free option follows the rollout of an ad-free HBO Max upgrade for Philo customers in June. "Philo has continued to build a unified experience where live TV, premium streaming, and free content live in one place," Philo executive Adam Salmons said. "Adding discovery+ directly into our app now gives Philo customers even more of the content they love, without having to switch apps." Philo first added discovery+ and HBO Max to its bundled base service in September 2025. They join AMC+ and All Reality as added-on streamers in the Philo Bundle+ plan; customers can also watch AMC+ on-demand titles within the Philo app with Bundle+. Audiences who don't want extra on-demand titles from AMC+, discovery+, or HBO Max with their Philo subscription can choose the Essential plan for $25 per month.

Business Wire
Jun 18th, 2026
Philo launches pause ads across live TV streaming service with programmatic and direct access

Philo, the live TV streaming service, has launched pause ads across its ad-supported platform, making them available both directly and programmatically. The company is among the first to offer both activation methods simultaneously. Pause ads appear when viewers pause content, capitalising on natural viewing breaks. According to eMarketer, 81% of viewers pause to avoid missing content, with 54% of pause sessions lasting between one and five minutes. The format has shown improvements in purchase intent and brand favourability. Philo built the capability natively into its ad server without requiring third-party integrations. The company partnered with Magnite, Index Exchange, Kargo and others to standardise specifications and programmatic delivery. The feature aims to increase ad effectiveness whilst maintaining viewer experience.

Streaming Media
Jun 18th, 2026
Philo launches pause ads.

Philo launches pause ads. Philo, the live TV streaming service, today announced the availability of pause ads across its full ad-supported footprint. The format is now accessible both directly and programmatically, giving brand and agency partners flexible entry into one of streaming's highest-engagement ad moments. Pause ads appear when a viewer pauses content, capturing attention during a natural break without interrupting the viewing experience. According to eMarketer, 81% of viewers pause specifically to avoid missing content, and 54% of pause sessions last between one and five minutes. The format has been shown to lift both purchase intent and brand favorability, and initial measurement suggests that viewers are much more likely to engage with interactive elements such as QR codes. Philo's implementation is built natively into its ad server, available through Direct IO and programmatic activation without requiring third-party SDK integrations. Philo is among the first in the industry to bring pause ads to market both programmatically and through direct activation simultaneously. The Philo team has worked closely with a number of strategic partners including Magnite, Index Exchange, Kargo, Nexxen, OpenGlass, OpenX, TripleLift, and WunderKIND Ads, to make pause ads available in a streamlined way for advertisers while collaborating across the industry to align on a common standard for specifications and programmatic delivery. This also comes at a time when the advent of AI creative tools has made it simpler than ever for brands to customize creatives for different environments, unlocking a powerful new format for a wide swath of unique advertisers. "We built our pause ads product to help increase ad effectiveness without jeopardizing the viewing experience," said Kyle Turner, Director, Advertising Product Strategy, Philo, "The goal was to capitalize on a passive viewing experience that is controlled by the user while also creating a technical solution that allows an advertiser multiple access points, direct or programmatic." "We're excited to partner with Philo to make pause ads more accessible as buyers increasingly look for native, contextually relevant ways to engage with streaming audiences," said Ryan Kenney, SVP, Revenue, Springserve at Magnite. "We're turning innovation into scalable advertising opportunities by connecting premium inventory with robust buyer demand and a streamlined path to activation." "Advertisers are increasingly looking for high-attention moments that can be activated seamlessly across premium streaming environments," said Tal Almany, Vice President, Global Supply, at Kargo. "Philo's pause ads offering delivers on that opportunity while helping advance a more standardized approach to programmatic activation. We're proud to collaborate with Philo on bringing innovative, viewer-friendly ad experiences to market and expanding what's possible in CTV." About Philo Philo is a San Francisco-based live TV streaming service offering 70+ top-rated entertainment channels, 75,000 on-demand titles, and an unlimited DVR that saves recordings for a year, with paid plans starting as low as $25/month. Philo also offers 150+ free channels available to watch anytime without an account. Learn more at philo.com. for qualified subscribers Move builds on momentum of Magnite's Home Screen and Tiles ad formats to meet growing demand for performance-driven ad experiences 26 Aug 2025

goGame
May 19th, 2026
Philohere's integration of FAST channels and advertising challenges.

Philohere's integration of FAST channels and advertising challenges. * | FW | forbes www @forbes.com | * / * 2026-05-19 23:142026-05-20 08:15 Short Url: https://gogame.com/p/Ij7MysqfUmKVKxOGOuhpCg * / * 1 Views Philo, a live TV service, has added a bundle of FAST channels to its subscription package and introduced a free TV offering. The company aims to capture users outside of its paid subscriber base and convince churned subscribers to return. Edward King, Chief Product Officer at Philohome, discusses the platform's advantages over free platforms, such as built-in DVR and access to premium content. Philohome uses house ads to promote different shows and features on the platform, addressing challenges associated with ad insertion and identifying identical ads with different lengths using AI and computer vision techniques.

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