Philo Expands Free Lineup, Adds Westerns for Subscribers

In a move to combat subscription fatigue, Philo announced it is expanding its channel lineup with four new free channels from Paramount and adding a Western-themed network to its paid tier. The dual strategy aims to attract new users with free ad-supported content while giving paid subscribers more niche programming.

• News, noms, and no cost: The company is adding CBS News 24/7, 48 Hours, The Martha Stewart Channel, and The Emeril Lagasse Channel to its free offering. The inclusion of a 24/7 news network reverses Philo's long-standing strategy of shunning news programming to maintain its budget-friendly price, a move made possible through a broader distribution deal with its investor, Paramount.

• Go west: Subscribers to the $33-a-month Core package also gain access to WEST (Western Entertainment Series Television). The new network from Weigel Broadcasting features a library of classic TV westerns like Gunsmoke, Bonanza, and The Virginian.

The strategy pits a growing FAST offering to onboard users without a paywall against a fortified paid tier designed to keep subscribers from leaving.