Philo is already one of the best streaming services on the market, but now it's taking things up a notch. Starting today, September 30, Philo is including the ad-supported tiers of HBO Max and Discovery Plus in its core streaming package. That means a massive library of hit movies and shows is now part of your Philo subscription, albeit for a new, higher price. Given how much you're getting, though, it's the rare streaming price hike that feels like a steal. You can now check out the latest seasons of must-watch shows like "The White Lotus" and "The Last of Us" for just $5 more a month — that's half of what you'd pay for an HBO Max subscription on its own.
If you're a current subscriber, you get access to both services immediately for one month at your existing price point of $28/month. After that, your monthly bill will go up by $5, bringing the new total to $33/month. The HBO Max and Discovery Plus catalog of hit movies and shows joins the more than 70 TV channels and 110 free channels already offered through Philo.
With the cost of streaming creeping higher and higher these days, some of the best live-TV alternatives are getting to be as expensive as cable, which almost has us regretting cutting the cord. While I report on a lot of streaming price hikes, this one actually feels justified given everything new that subscribers are getting. HBO Max's ad-supported tier by itself costs $9.99/month, while Discovery Plus plans start at $5.99/month. So for just five bucks more a month for both through your Philo subscription, you're getting your money's worth three times over.
"The addition of the HBO Max library and its premium IP to our bundle means we can give our customers more of what they've been looking for, at an exceptional value," said Philo COO Mike Keyserling in a press release.
The king of streaming comes to Philo
With HBO Max, you're also getting access to the best streaming services out there, hands down. When it comes to both quantity and quality, no streaming service can beat HBO Max.
It offers everything from blockbuster Warner Bros. movies like "Bring Her Back," one of the most spine-chilling movies of the year so far, to prestige TV like the upcoming "IT: Welcome to Derry" or James Gunn's "The Suicide Squad" spinoff series "Peacemaker." HBO Max also offers live sports coverage through its Bleacher Report banner, such as soccer, hockey and cycling.
Now that it's available with a Philo subscription, it's easier than ever to stream the movies and shows everyone is talking about. As we said in our Philo TV review, the service features an extensive catalog of content, including live TV from over 70 popular cable networks like AMC, HGTV, and MTV. You'll find these broadcasts right alongside movies and shows on demand from Shudder, Sundance Now, and AMC Plus with ads, which include must-watch TV like "The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live," "Mad Men” and "Dark Winds." Philo subscribers can also add Starz for an additional $11 per month, following an initial free trial.
Philo's bright, slick interface is also a breeze to use. Plus, it's perfect for viewers who like to record a ton of shows and movies to watch later, since Philo's DVR lets you keep an unlimited number of recordings for 30 days. So long as you're OK with sitting through a few commercials, Philo is one of the most affordable streaming services out there, and this latest expansion promises to take even more of the sting out of your monthly streaming bill.
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