How to watch Philo TV: What does it cost? What channels does it have? Free trial info and why it’s cheaper than Sling, other streaming services

As a growing number of TV viewers cut the cable cord, more companies are jumping into the streaming world. Ideally, giving customers more choices about how to watch makes it easier to customize a viewing package, rather than pay for channels you never watch.

Another example of the ever-increasing list of streaming services is Philo. Unlike Netflix, Apple TV Plus, Hulu, Disney Plus or Amazon Prime Video, Philo doesn’t offer its own original shows. Instead, like Fubo TV, Sling TV and others, Philo is a service that lets viewers watch live and on demand content from several cable networks, without subscribing to a cable service.

You can sign up for Philo for $25 per month, but try it first with a 7-day free trial.

Is Philo right for you? Here’s some information about the service, what it offers and other details, to help you decide.

What is Philo?

Philo is a streaming service that offers subscribers 64 channels, which viewers can watch live, or record, via unlimited DVR. Subscribers can save a recorded show for up to 30 days.

What does Philo include?

Among the channels Philo subscribers can watch are A&E, AMC, Animal Planet, BBC America, BET, CMT, Comedy Central, Discovery, Food Network, the Hallmark Channel, HGTV, Lifetime, MTV, the Paramount Network, Sundance TV, TLC, the Travel Channel, VH1 and Vice. Add-on options include Epix, which includes movies and series; and Starz, home of “Outlander,” “Power” and movies. Philo does not include local channels, or sports packages.

How much does Philo cost?

Philo is one of the cheapest options available for cord-cutters, costing a thrifty $25 per month to subscribe. There’s no contract, so viewers can cancel at any time. The Epix add-on is an additional $6 per month; the Starz add-on is an additional $9 per month. Also note that there’s no ad-free option.

How do I watch Philo?

To sign up, you need a cell phone number or an email address; a credit card; a broadband internet connection; and a device compatible with Philo, such as desktop browsers on Mac or PC; iPhone or iPad; Android phones and tablets; Android TV; Roku; Apple TV; Fire TV; or Chromecast via Android. Subscribers can stream on up to three devices at the same time, and can create up to 10 profiles per account.

-- Kristi Turnquist

kturnquist@oregonian.com 503-221-8227 @Kristiturnquist