Philo is raising prices for its legacy subscribers for the first time, moving customers on old $16 and $20 plans to a new $25 per month tier because the company says it can no longer afford to lose money on them. The move breaks a long-standing pledge that had set the budget-friendly streaming service apart from its rivals.
The quiet part out loud: In a message to subscribers, CEO Andrew McCollum was blunt about the financial reality, stating the company loses money on its oldest plans and has been absorbing the costs out of loyalty. He explained that to "build a sustainable business," the change was unavoidable.
Perks with a price: To soften the blow, Philo is giving affected users an unlimited one-year DVR, an upgrade from the previous 30-day version. However, that perk comes with a bitter pill: for customers on the original $16 plan, the change amounts to a nearly 56% price hike, according to an analysis by The Desk.
Stuck in the middle: The new $25 legacy plan creates a distinct mid-tier for Philo's user base. It still undercuts the current $28 "Core" plan for new subscribers but notably excludes the bundled access to AMC+ that newer members receive.
The reversal dismantles the very promise that once set Philo apart, proving that in the streaming business, not even the most customer-friendly pledges are immune to the economic gravity of rising content costs. Beyond its core package, Philo's business model also relies on premium channel add-ons like STARZ and MGM+ to boost revenue.
