Philo Offers a New Option for Cord-Cutters
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
This is Your Money Matters from The Wall Street Journal.
Welcome to Your Money Matters. I'm Anne-Marie Fertoli in New York. Cord cutters have a new option when it comes to streaming services.
What is Philo and why is it being launched for cord-cutters?
Philo launched this week, offering entertainment packages without sports and news to viewers interested in low-cost bundles. Joining me in our studio now to talk about Philo and its chances of standing out in a crowded marketplace is Wall Street Journal reporter Cara Lombardo. Cara, Philo is offering about 37 different channels here from Animal Planet to the Food Network, but it doesn't include some of the most sought-after streaming content like sports and news. I'm assuming that's a way to cut costs and also pass that on to the consumer. But who is Philo exactly marketing to here, and is there an audience for it?
That's the big question. Is there an audience for something like Philo, which is entertainment-focused and leaves out the sports program that's some of the most popular stuff? The people behind Philo and the programmers who are backing it financially think that there's a large audience who's been left out of the conversation who is looking for this more a la carte offering of some of their favorite scripted dramas or reality TV shows. They also argue that even sports fans might find something here. Maybe they'd like this cheaper offering at $16 a month to get some of these basic entertainment channels, and then they could add on sports channels either by spending $20 to buy an antenna and get network channels, or...
by adding on something like MLB TV.
So let's talk about the basic services here. What's the most bare-bones package you can get? And then if you could tell me about those add-ons.
Sure. The basic Philo package is going to come with 37 channels. They're going to be from the five programmers backing it. That's Discovery, Scripps, Viacom, A&E, and AMC.
What channels and pricing make up Philo’s basic package?
And that's going to be for $16 a month. And then if you want, you can add on an additional nine channels for $4. The most expensive package currently is $20, the basic plus the add-on.
And how do you access those services? Is there a device involved like there is with Roku or Chromecast, for example, or do you just need an Internet connection?
You really don't need anything other than Internet to watch it. So like other streaming services, you can log on to your browser and watch it that way. They also have an Apple app, and it works with Roku devices, and they have plans to roll out an Android app soon.
How can viewers access Philo on devices and apps?
Okay, so working within the existing technology. That's right. Cara, an idea that struck me as pretty interesting and that you write about in your article for The Wall Street Journal is this idea of syncing viewing with your friends and family who can be watching the same thing somewhere else. That seems like an interesting concept. What is the idea behind that? And is anyone else doing something like that?
So Philo is going to include a bunch of social layers to it eventually, although they will not be in the initial product. They expect these features to roll out early next year. And the reasoning behind that is that Philo's CEO, Andrew McCollum, actually got his start at Facebook. He was one of the early members of Facebook, and he argues that... Other streaming services, including the most popular ones such as Netflix and Hulu, are really missing out on the social aspect of watching TV. He says there's a reputation of watching TV that it's something we do when we're alone and we have nothing better to do and we have no friends to hang out with.
What social viewing features does Philo plan to add and why?
But he says, really, it's a very social experience. We're taking in a season finale with millions of other people. We're watching a new documentary and then suggesting it to our friend the next time we see them. He wants to really capture that. So some of the features will include syncing, watching, where you can watch a show. You can see exactly where your friend is in a show so you're sure not to spoil it if you're a little bit farther ahead. Or you could watch a finale or an episode together from across the country.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:02–0:15
2
What is Philo and why is it being launched for cord-cutters?
0:15–1:46
3
What channels and pricing make up Philo’s basic package?
1:46–2:20
4
How can viewers access Philo on devices and apps?
2:20–3:16
5
What social viewing features does Philo plan to add and why?
3:16–4:37
6
How does Philo position itself in the growing a la carte streaming market?
4:37–6:34
7
What insights did Philo learn from its college-campus soft launch?
6:34–7:44
8
What are the main challenges and criticisms Philo faces entering the market?
7:44–7:57
Speakers
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