Philo launches $16/month streaming service with A+E, AMC, Discovery, Scripps and Viacom channels

Philo is launching a new entertainment-only streaming service featuring networks from A+E, AMC, Discovery, Scripps and Viacom, which are also strategic investors in Philo.

The $16-per-month tier offers more than 35 channels including A&E, AMC, Animal Planet, BBC America, Comedy Central, Discovery Channel, Food Network, HGTV, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., TLC and Viceland. For another $4 per month, subscribers will be able to add nine channels including Logo and Nicktoons.

The service will be available on web browsers, Roku, iOS and Android via Chrome (an Android app is in the works). The service allows for up to three different simultaneous streams and provides access to an unlimited 30-day DVR and on-demand library.

New users will be able to try out Philo free for seven days, and that initial sign-up won’t require a credit card or much personal information—only a phone number.

Philo features a home page where users can either hit play to just start watching TV or click on individual shows. Users will be able to save shows for watching later, continue watching shows they’ve already started, see what’s trending in terms of viewership, and see what’s upcoming.

Philo has a live page for all networks as well as a channel grid—running vertical instead of horizontal—that allows viewers to scroll up to two weeks forward or backward.

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The search will also drill down into metadata from the shows so a search for “Austin,” for instance, will turn up shows and episodes with Austin in the title but also shows that were filmed in or take place in Austin.

Philo also plans to roll out a set of social features for its streaming platform in early 2018. Those features include the ability to connect with people on the platform, see what they’re watching or what they recommend, share shows with friends and sync up your viewing with friends on the platform.

All five cable programmers have also kicked in a total of $25 million in strategic investments for Philo, which was founded originally as an offering for students on college campuses. With the launch of its new entertainment channel bundle, Philo will be available nationwide.