Cutting the traditional cable cord in favor of streaming TV services is becoming more attractive, with a number of good cable alternatives available. As you consider replacing your cable box, two of your top options are likely to be Philo or Hulu + Live TV. In this guide, I‘ll offer an in-depth comparison of key features to help determine which best fits your household‘s needs.
Why Compare Streaming TV Providers
First, you may be wondering why you even need to directly compare streaming TV platforms rather than simply choosing the cheapest. It‘s a fair question.
In recent years, new services marketing themselves as cable TV replacements have emerged. Names like Sling TV, YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream. These aren‘t merely on-demand catalogs like Netflix or Disney+. Instead they offer live feeds of channels like traditional television.
This can get confusing for viewers conditioned to expect one company providing TV via a single coaxial cable. Now, with streaming, you have various different platforms you can use to access live shows, news and sports.
So evaluating providers against each other directly helps clarify major differences in areas like:
- Price
- Channel availability
- Number of simultaneous streams supported
- DVR restrictions
- Offline viewing options
- Supported devices
Understanding strengths and limitations in these key categories allows you to determine the best live TV streaming fit based on your household‘s needs and preferences. Comparing Philo to Hulu + Live TV provides an especially useful case study.
A Quick Introduction to Philo and Hulu + Live TV
Philo first emerged in 2016 from two Harvard students experimenting with streaming live TV feeds available over the air to campus residents. They started a company called Tivli (now Philo TV) and landed significant funding from media investment firms and companies like Discovery and Viacom.
Priced at just $25 per month, Philo focuses on entertainment with popular cable channels like MTV, Discovery, A&E, HGTV and more. Local broadcast stations, regional sports networks and many news outlets are notably missing from the lineup though.
Hulu + Live TV follows a similar origin story, with Hulu launching their live TV upgrade to the on-demand service in early 2017. Backed by media giants like Disney and Fox, Hulu + Live TV runs $69.99 per month for over 75 channels across news, sports and entertainment. The high price tag includes extras like the ad-supported version of Hulu and access to Disney+ and ESPN+.
Now, with that quick overview in mind, let‘s break down how Philo and Hulu + Live TV compare across some major features.
Side-by-Side Breakdown: Key Differences and Similarities
|| Philo | Hulu + Live TV |
|-|-|-|
| Monthly Price | $25 | $69.99 |
| Channels | 63+ | 75+ |
| Sports & News | Very Limited | All Major Players |
| Local Broadcast Stations | None | ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox in most areas |
| Simultaneous Streams | 3 | 2 (can get unlimited for $10 upcharge) |
| DVR Storage | Unlimited, 1 Year Limit | 50 Hours, 9 Month Limit |
| Supported Devices | Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Android, Web | All Major Platforms like above, plus Xbox & PlayStation |
| Optional Add-Ons | Showtime, Starz, Other Premiums | HBO Max, Starz, Unlimited screens & several more|
| Offline Viewing | No | Yes, some on-demand shows & movies |
This table summarizes a few major differences. Now, let‘s dive deeper into some key category comparisons.
Channel Availability: Philo Has Entertainment, Hulu Wins News & Sports
If you want to stream shows from heavy hitters like ESPN, Fox News, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, or NBC, Hulu + Live TV will have you covered in most regions. Philo intentionally leaves out those with news and sports to keep costs lower.
Philo beats Hulu on channel selection if the majority of your viewing falls into categories like:
- Reality Shows: VH1, MTV, Discovery – unique to Philo
- Home & Design: HGTV, DIY Network – only on Philo
- Movies/Series: AMC, IFC, SundanceTV – not offered by Hulu
- General Entertainment: Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Lifetime – exclusive to Philo
So all comes down to which type of channels you must have. Hospital drama fans will likely need to pay more for Hulu to access ABC shows, while MTV reality show enthusiasts will find better value with Philo. See Philo‘s full channel list here.
Simultaneous Streams: Philo Leads at Low Price
If your home has 3-4 family members that want to watch different live shows simultaneously, Philo provides better value. You get up to 3 concurrent streams for that $25 price tag.
Hulu only allows 2 simultaneous streams. If you want to add unlimited streams, it will cost an extra $10 per month. So for larger families with varied tastes looking to cut cable, Philo has an advantage. The three streams apply whether you‘re streaming from the living room TV, phone or tablets – making sharing access very convenient.
DVR Functionality: Philo Offers Longer Recording Duration
DVR has practically become a standard feature across streaming TV platforms – allowing you to record live TV the same way your old cable box did. Hulu and Philo both offer ad-free options here too.
I give Philo a slight edge for their unlimited DVR offering more storage time. Any shows or movies you add on Philo stay available for 12 months before expiring. Hulu Live caps DVR duration at just 9 months. So Philo fits better if you‘s a TV archivist wishing to build a longer-term on-demand catalog of shows.
50 hours of DVR storage on Hulu seems fine for casual viewers not recording everything though. And the 9 month limit won‘t impact most people either. But it‘s useful context on DVR restrictions to understand upfront.
Offline Viewing: Hulu Downloads Give It an Edge
An underrated feature of Hulu + Live TV lies in the ability to watch some shows and movies offline. If you are hopping a flight, traveling overseas, or simply commute underground – having that DVR catalog or full seasons of network shows synced makes Hulu more valuable.
Philo lacks any kind of equivalent. Once you lose steady Wi-Fi, you lose access as there is no offline mode or content downloads available.
This can be a very compelling perk for frequent travelers or mobile-focused users where Hulu distinguishes itself. Just know only select programs allow offline viewing. But having 30+ shows to choose from with downloads enabled beats zero from Philo.
Bottom Line: Who Should Choose What?
We‘ve covered a lot of ground comparing these two popular TV streaming providers. To wrap up, here‘s my quick take on the best target subscriber fit for Philo vs Hulu Live:
Philo – Best value under $30/month for entertainment-focused viewers who care most about channels like AMC, Discovery, Comedy Central. Lack of sports & local stations is fine with these folks. Offers more streams for larger households needing 3+ concurrent views.
Hulu Live – For sports fans, news junkies and those requiring major broadcast networks, Hulu + Live TVjustify its higher prices. The Disney/ESPN media empire boosts overall offerings despite gaps in lifestyle programming. Downloads for offline viewing provides unique bonus.
Hopefully mapping out these key features and channel comparisons makes your choice clearer. And remember, you aren‘t locked in forever! Switch streaming providers anytime your preferences evolve. Feel free to drop me a note with any other questions.
