When choosing a live TV streaming service, numerous options are available in the market today. Among the most popular contenders are Sling TV and Philo. Both services offer affordable alternatives to traditional cable TV, but each has unique features, advantages, and limitations.
This guide will explore everything you need to know about Sling TV and Philo, comparing their pricing, channel selection, features, and overall value.
By the end of this post, you’ll be able to make an informed decision on which service best fits your entertainment needs.
Table of Contents
Overview of Sling TV and Philo
Before diving into the comparison, let’s look at what Sling TV and Philo are, what they offer, and their general characteristics.
What is Sling TV?
Sling TV is one of the first streaming services to bring live television to the internet. Launched in 2015 by Dish Network, Sling TV offers a robust selection of channels, allowing users to watch live sports, news, and entertainment. The service operates on a subscription model with customizable packages, giving viewers the flexibility to pay for only what they want.
What is Philo?
Philo is a budget-friendly streaming service that focuses on delivering a large number of entertainment and lifestyle channels at an affordable price. Launched in 2017, Philo is not as well-known as Sling TV but has carved out a niche by offering great value for viewers who want access to popular TV networks without the high price tags.
While Philo doesn’t have sports or news channels, it provides an extensive lineup of entertainment-focused channels like MTV, AMC, and Discovery.
Pricing Comparison: Sling TV vs Philo
One of the primary considerations when choosing a streaming service is cost. Let’s compare the pricing of Sling TV and Philo.
Sling TV Pricing
Sling TV offers a few different packages, with options for add-ons depending on the channels you need:
- Sling Orange: $40 per month, which includes 30+ channels like ESPN, CNN, Disney Channel, and AMC.
- Sling Blue: $45 per month, offering 40+ channels, including FOX, NBC, USA Network, and Bravo.
- Sling Orange + Blue: $60 per month, combining the content from both the Orange and Blue packages.
- Additional add-ons, such as sports, news, and premium channels like Showtime, can be added for an extra fee starting from $6.
Philo Pricing
Philo takes a straightforward approach to pricing. For only $28 per month, Philo provides access to over 70 channels, including popular ones like MTV, AMC, Food Network, and Discovery Channel. Philo also offers a 7-day free trial for new users to test out the service before committing.
Conclusion on Pricing
Philo is significantly more affordable than Sling TV, especially if you’re only interested in entertainment and lifestyle channels. Sling TV may be more suitable for users who want access to sports and news content but are willing to pay a little more for a broader range of channels.
Channel Selection: Sling TV vs Philo
Next, let’s compare the channel lineups of both services. While both offer solid choices for different interests, they have some notable differences in content.
Sling TV Channel Lineup
Sling TV’s channel lineup is quite varied, providing options for sports, entertainment, news, and more. Some notable channels available on Sling TV include:
- Sports: FS1, ESPN, NBA TV, NFL Network
- News: CNN, MSNBC, Fox News
- Entertainment: AMC, TNT, TBS, HGTV
- Family & Kids: Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, National Geographic
Here is the Sling TV Channel List
Philo Channel Lineup
Philo, on the other hand, focuses primarily on entertainment, lifestyle, and reality TV channels. Philo’s content includes:
- Entertainment: AMC, MTV, VH1, Comedy Central
- Lifestyle: Food Network, HGTV, Travel Channel, Discovery Channel
- Movies: Lifetime and Hallmark Movies, & Mysteries
Here is the Philo Channel List
Which Has the Better Channel Lineup?
If you’re someone who needs sports, news, or a wider variety of content, Sling TV is the better option. However, if your focus is primarily on entertainment, reality TV, and lifestyle channels, Philo’s budget-friendly service might be the right choice for you.
Features and Device Compatibility
Let’s now look at the additional features and device compatibility offered by Sling TV and Philo.
Sling TV Features
- Cloud DVR: Sling TV offers a cloud DVR feature, but it’s limited. Users can record up to 50 hours of content with the base plan, and Upgrade to 200 hours of storage for $5/month.
- Simultaneous Streams: Sling TV allows users to stream on multiple devices simultaneously, though the number of streams depends on the plan. Sling Orange offers one stream, while Sling Blue allows three simultaneous streams.
- On-Demand Library: Sling TV has an extensive on-demand library, letting you catch up on missed shows and movies from a wide range of channels.
Philo Features
- Cloud DVR: Philo includes cloud DVR with all its plans, allowing you to record an unlimited number of shows. However, recordings are available for 30 days.
- Simultaneous Streams: Philo offers up to three simultaneous streams on its base plan, allowing families or roommates to watch different content at the same time.
- On-Demand Library: Philo also provides an on-demand library for catching up on past episodes, but the selection is more limited compared to Sling TV.
Pros and Cons of Sling TV and Philo
Sling TV Pros
- Extensive channel selection, including sports and news
- Multiple plan options and add-ons for customization
- Advanced features like cloud DVR and simultaneous streaming
Sling TV Cons
- More expensive than Philo
- Sports and premium channel add-ons can drive up the cost
Philo Pros
- Very affordable at $28 per month
- Access to over 70 channels, including entertainment and lifestyle content
- Unlimited DVR for 30 days
Philo Cons
- No sports or news channels
- Smaller on-demand library compared to Sling TV
Conclusion: Which One Should You Choose?
Choosing between Sling TV and Philo ultimately depends on your viewing preferences and budget.
If you’re looking for a more affordable streaming service with plenty of entertainment and lifestyle content, Philo offers great value for money. If you’re someone who loves sports, and news or wants a more comprehensive channel lineup, Sling TV is the better option. While it’s pricier, it offers more variety, a broader selection of premium channels, and flexible viewing options.
In conclusion, both Sling TV and Philo are solid choices depending on your specific needs. Consider your content preferences, budget, and desired features to make the right decision. Happy streaming!
