Philo: Price Increase, But AMC+ for New Subscribers

The price of Philo’s Core package will increase from $25 to $28 per month for new and returning subscribers. This change marks only the second price increase in the company’s seven-and-a-half-year history.

Philo
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Philo is increasing its price by $3 per month for new subscribers, but it’s adding AMC+ to the mix. 

Philo CEO Andrew McCollum shared the news in a blog post on Wednesday, emphasizing the company’s commitment to providing value despite rising costs. 

“We have a philosophy at Philo that when we raise the price, we should also offer more value to our subscribers at the same time,” McCollum said in the post. In line with this philosophy, the updated Core package will now include AMC+, a standalone service by AMC Networks. 

AMC+ has been operating as a standalone streaming service since its debut in June 2020, and costs $8.99 per month. 

The price change begins June 12, 2024. The price of Philo’s Core package will increase from $25 to $28 per month for new and returning subscribers. This change marks only the second price increase in the company’s seven-and-a-half-year history.

Impact on New and Existing Philo Subscribers

For new subscribers, the price adjustment means getting the addition of AMC+, a streaming bundle that has original series like “Gangs of London,” exclusive movies, and a deep library of iconic shows such as “Mad Men.” 

Other notable series available on AMC+ include “Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire,” “Mayfair Witches,” and “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.” Additionally, AMC+ offers content from Shudder, Sundance Now, and IFC.

Existing subscribers, however, will not be forced into this price increase. McCollum reassured current users that they could maintain their current package and pricing. 

“Anyone who joined Philo on the first day of our launch in 2017, and kept their subscription active, is still paying the same price today,” he explained. Existing subscribers who wish to upgrade to the new Core package with AMC+ can do so starting June 12.

Expanding Free FAST Channel Offerings

Philo is also expanding its free, ad-supported TV (FAST) offerings. Users can now sign up to watch and record a majority of free channels without needing a Core subscription or providing credit card information. 

Philo’s free channel selection includes more than 70 channels, offering a variety of content from reality TV to classic shows.

Live TV on Philo and Add-ons

In addition to the inclusion of AMC+, Philo’s updated Core package will continue to provide access to a wide range of live and on-demand TV from networks such as A&E, MTV, BET, Discovery, VH1, Lifetime, and Hallmark. Subscribers will also have access to a vast video-on-demand (VOD) library with over 70,000 shows and movies.

Philo’s add-on packages, including MGM+ ($7), STARZ ($10), and Movies and More ($3), remain available at their existing prices. For those seeking an ad-free experience, AMC+ can be upgraded for an additional $4 per month.

Jim Kimble is a seasoned industry expert with over two decades of journalism experience. He has been at the forefront of the cord-cutting movement since 2016, testing and writing about TV-related products and services. He founded The Cord Cutting Report in 2016, and serves as the editor.

Major publications, including MarketWatch, Forbes, and South Florida Sun Sentinel, have interviewed Kimble for his years of expertise. He gives advice on the complexities consumers are navigating with streaming options, and over-the-air TV. Kimble has been a staff writer or correspondent for several award-winning, daily newspapers, including The Boston Globe.

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