Philo Raises Price to $33, Now Includes HBO Max and Discovery+

One of the go-to budget TV streamers is bulking up with more on-demand content. Philo will now include ad-supported HBO Max and Discovery+. This raises the cost of Philo by $5 to $33/month.

What Does Philo Include?

Philo serves up popular channels with reality and feel-good entertainment like Hallmark Channel, HGTV, History Channel, MeTV, MeTV Toons, Discovery Channel, INSP, TLC, Food Network, Investigation Discovery, Hallmark Mystery, TV Land, and A&E.

Philo also includes AMC+ for free in addition to HBO Max and Discovery+.

The company says Philo subscribers will eventually be able to upgrade to an ad-free HBO and Discovery+ sometime in 2026. (Currently, the upgrade for ad-free AMC+ is another $4/month.)

What Can You Watch With the New HBO Max and Discovery+ Perk?

HBO Max is truly one of the best streaming services for adults. It has some of the best TV shows ever made: “The Sopranos,” “Veep,” “Game of Thrones,” “Hacks,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “The White Lotus,” “The Wire,” “Deadwood,” “The Last of Us,” and so much more.

The movie library is great because you’ll get access to more than 100 years of Warner Bros. classics, from “Barbie” all the way back to “The Wizard of Oz.” It includes major franchises like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, The Matrix, and the DC superhero universe.

On Discovery+, you’ll find your favorite reality shows from TLC, Discovery Channel, Investigation Discovery, and more.

What Should New Philo Subscribers Know?

This is not a good service if you want local channels, news, or sports. It intentionally avoids those channels because they drive up the cost of an overall channel bundle. In fact, you won’t get the 11 most-watched TV channels in the country. The most-watched channels you have access to are Hallmark Channel and HGTV.

If you’d like to save money and still gain access to locals, news, or sports, check out Sling TV or DIRECTV’s genre packs.

Is Philo Worth It?

For a very specific kind of TV user, Philo is a good deal. If you like using TV for general entertainment and not for current events or sports, it makes sense.

While it’s not the bargain it once was, $33 is still pretty good for access to dozens of channels, a free unlimited DVR, and 3 streaming services with quality movies and shows.