WOW will start offering broadband customers a subscription to entertainment-focused streaming TV service Philo this year, as part of a new agreement announced Tuesday.
The $20 per month Philo service, which features popular cable networks like A&E, AMC, Discovery, HGTV, Lifetime, MTV, and Nickelodeon, among others, will be available starting mid-year to WOW broadband customers in the Midwest and Southeast, according to a news release.
“We are excited to partner with Philo to offer yet another option to WOW! customers,” said Roger Seiken, senior vice president of programming for WOW!, in a statement. “WOW! recognizes today’s video consumers want to choose from a variety of entertainment options and our goal is to help our customers access and enjoy those services. Combining Philo TV and WOW! HSD is a winning proposition for our customers.”
Details on pricing or bundle options have not been disclosed, though a Philo representative said the initial offer will likely look like those that Philo already has available in the market.
Last year, Philo partnered with the National Cable Television Cooperative (NCTC) to offer the streaming TV service to NCTC’s 750 members, made up of broadband and cable service providers.
With the WOW partnership, Philo will still handle all customer service and support for the streaming TV service, and consumers will still have a separate bill from Philo and WOW – at least initially, according to the representative.
Earlier this year, Philo announced it would stop offering its $16 per month 45-channel package to new customers. As of May 6, Philo only sells a $20 per month plan that features 58 channels including networks from A+E, AMC Networks, Discovery, and Viacom.
Philo offers three concurrent streams and unlimited 30-day DVR.
“Philo is always looking for great partners to work with in order to bring our service to TV lovers, wherever they are,” said Andrew McCollum, Philo CEO. “Our new partnership with WOW! will offer a new entertainment-television experience to layer on top of WOW!’s super fast 1-Gig high speed data network.”
During the first quarter WOW reported adding 6,300 net broadband subscribers, expanding its total high-speed internet customer base to 765,900. That total is up 3 percent from a year ago, marking WOW’s best quarterly result in the last four years.