Cost-conscious TV platform Philo has quietly added a number of Starz and MGM Plus channels for streamers who pay for either or both premium programming packages through the service.
For more than a few years, Philo has offered the option to add Starz and MGM Plus (previously Epix) to its base programming subscription tier, at rates comparable to what subscribers would pay for each service on their own. The offering was intended to help streamers access as much content from a single app experience as possible, and to boost the overall programming options available within the Philo app.
Philo has long offered the full on-demand library of Starz and MGM Plus to subscribers of each tier, but only offered a handful of the linear networks that are typically found on cable and satellite. Starz subscribers were limited to the linear channels of Starz East, Starz Kids & Family and Starz Encore, while MGM Plus was a single channel offering.
Now, Philo streamers who pay for either Starz or MGM Plus — or both — can access more linear content channels. A spokesperson for the streaming service confirmed the update was recent, but reassured subscribers that all Starz and MGM Plus films and TV shows have always been available through the on-demand catalog of each network, so streamers were never deprived of a show or movie. Philo subscribers have always been able to access the standalone Starz and MGM Plus apps with their username and password, if they preferred that experience instead.
Starz subscribers now have access to the following linear feeds through Philo:
- Starz (East Coast feed)
- Starz in Black
- Starz Cinema
- Starz Comedy
- Starz Edge
- Starz Kids & Family
- Starz Encore (East Coast feed)
- Starz Encore Black
- Starz Encore Classic
- Starz Encore en Español
- Starz Encore Family
- Starz Encore Suspense
- Starz Encore Westerns
Those who purchase MGM Plus through the Philo platform now have four linear channels of content:
- MGM Plus
- MGM Plus Drive-In
- MGM Plus Hits
- MGM Plus Marquee
The addition of more Starz and MGM Plus linear channels plays into Philo’s long-established brand identity that streamers could rely on the service to provide a lean-back experience — tune in to any of the 200-plus cable networks and free, ad-supported streaming channels offered through the platform, and zone out on comfort food TV for hours on end. Last year, Philo refreshed its brand identity to spotlight the vast amount of TV channels, shows and movies available through the service, with the emphasis that there is something for everyone to watch.
Philo charges $11 per month for Starz and $7 per month for MGM Plus. Additionally, the service offers a number of other add-ons, including a package called “Movies & More” that unlocks access to HDNet Movies, Fandor, Movies!, FMC (Family Movie Channel), Reelz and Sony Movies for $3 per month.
The ad-supported version of AMC Plus is included with Philo’s base subscription package, which costs $28 per month and includes channels from Warner Bros. Discovery (Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, OWN), AMC Networks (AMC, IFC, BBC America), A+E Networks (A&E, History Channel, Travel Channel, Science Channel, Lifetime) and Paramount Global (Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, TV Land, CMT, BET), among others. New subscribers automatically receive a seven-day free trial.
