Report updated Apr 19, 2026
Philo: Shows, Movies & Live TV
For budget-conscious TV viewers looking for a cable-alternative that focuses on entertainment and lifestyle networks without the high cost of sports or news-heavy bundles.
Philo: Shows, Movies & Live TV is a challenged entertainment app that is free with in-app purchases. With a 4.8/5 rating from 67.8K reviews, it faces significant user friction. Users particularly appreciate content variety, though excessive ads remains a common concern.
What is Philo: Shows, Movies & Live TV?
Current Momentum
v8.8
Bug fixes and improvements
Active Nemesis
Frndly TV
By Frndly TV
Other Rivals
7-Day Rank Pulse 🇺🇸
EntertainmentRating Pulse 🇺🇸
Recent User Mood
What makes this app unique?
What Are The Key Features?
Cloud-based recording storage that saves content for up to a year with ad-skipping capabilities.
Access to 120+ live channels, movies, and shows without requiring an account or credit card.
Supports up to 10 personalized profiles per account with individual watch history and recommendations.
Allows up to 3 simultaneous streams across mobile, desktop, tablet, and TV devices.
Optional subscriptions for additional content like STARZ, MGM+, and Hallmark+.
How much does it cost?
- Free tier: 120+ channels with no account required
- Essential plan: 70+ live channels starting at $25/month
- Bundle+ plan: Includes Essential content plus HBO Max, AMC+, and discovery+
Philo utilizes a low-cost, entertainment-focused subscription model combined with a 'top-of-funnel' free ad-supported tier to lower barriers to entry and compete with traditional cable.
Who Built It?
Philo
Providing a budget-conscious 'cable-lite' streaming experience focused on entertainment and lifestyle content without the cost of sports or news.
Portfolio
2
Apps
What other apps does Philo make?
Explore the full Philo report
Portfolio breakdown, audience, momentum, and every app published by Philo.
What do users think recently?
High confidence · Latest 100 of 67.6K total reviews analyzed
How did the latest release land?
What is the recent mood?
Recent user voice shows a frustrated sentiment. Users appreciate content variety and cable alternative, but report excessive ads and app stability and performance.
What Users Love
What Frustrates Users
View the full user-sentiment analysis
Mood gauge, ratings & review-volume history, every praise / complaint / request, and sentiment over time.
What is the competitive landscape for Philo: Shows, Movies & Live TV?
Where is it available?
Localized markets (1)
How's The Entertainment Market?
How does it evolve in the Entertainment market?
Rank progression
2 active rankings tracked — 30-day window
The rivals identified
The outtake for Philo: Shows, Movies & Live TV
Strengths to defend, gaps to attack
Core Strengths
- Industry-leading 1-year Unlimited DVR
- Strong value-based pricing ($25/mo)
- Robust free tier for user acquisition
- Strategic premium bundles (HBO Max/AMC+)
Critical Frictions
- Significant technical instability and crashing
- High ad frequency on paid tiers
- Lack of support for older iOS devices
- No local news or sports content
Growth Levers
- Introduce an ad-free premium tier
- Improve app performance on legacy hardware
- Integrate more FAST local news partners
- Expand ROW8 movie rental integration
Market Threats
- Frndly TV's lower-priced lifestyle bundle
- Rapid expansion of free services like Pluto TV and Tubi
- Direct-to-consumer consolidation (e.g., Disney/Hulu)
- Rising content licensing costs
Key Takeaways
Philo: Shows, Movies & Live TV is a challenged entertainment app that is free with in-app purchases. With a 4.8/5 rating from 67.8K reviews, it faces significant user friction. Users particularly appreciate content variety, though excessive ads remains a common concern.
Where Is It Heading?
Trend analysis
Available very soon