DIRECTV vs Philo

DIRECTV Quietly Improves Streaming Picture Quality

DIRECTV has quietly rolled out a significant improvement to picture quality across its streaming service, raising the bitrate on live channels over the past week. The change was implemented without a formal announcement, marketing campaign, or update to app settings screens. Customers began noticing cleaner images on standard televisions before industry observers could document the shift. The higher data rate applies to internet-delivered linear streams, covering news, entertainment, and sports channels. The improvement is most visible in motion, reducing blocky patches, smearing, and color banding. Static details also benefit, with hair, fabric, and on-screen text appearing sharper. The gain depends on home bandwidth; viewers on stable connections will see the fullest image. Cloud DVR recordings made after the change inherit the improved stream. DIRECTV has not announced specific target rates or the extent of the rollout.

• DIRECTV increased bitrate on live streaming channels in the past week.
• The change was implemented without formal announcement or marketing campaign.
• The improvement applies to internet-delivered linear streams including news, entertainment, and sports.

DIRECTV Tests Next-Gen Gemini Streaming Device

DIRECTV is conducting a limited, invitation-only trial of its next-generation Gemini streaming player. The trial includes existing Gemini device users and customers who primarily use the DIRECTV app on third-party hardware, to evaluate performance and user experience. The company aims to assess speed, stability, and interface improvements. Regulatory filings earlier this year hinted at a more powerful chipset and newer Android TV software. No public launch date, pricing, or availability details have been announced. Results will shape decisions on broader rollout and whether the device will replace current models or serve as a premium option.

• DIRECTV is conducting an invitation-only trial of a next-generation Gemini streaming device.
• The trial includes existing Gemini device users and app-only customers.
• The purpose is to evaluate device performance and user experience.

DIRECTV Launches Military Makeover FAST Channel

DIRECTV is launching a new free ad-supported streaming (FAST) channel dedicated to the series 'Military Makeover with Montel' across its MyFree DIRECTV, Genre Packs, and Signature streaming packages. The channel will feature over 200 episodes spanning 44 seasons of the show, which focuses on transforming homes for military families. The rollout begins today, September 22, 2026. DIRECTV's chief marketing officer, Vince Torres, highlighted the company's commitment to supporting veterans through partnerships with organizations like the Bob Woodruff Foundation. The expansion of FAST channels is part of DIRECTV's strategy to offer diverse, ad-supported content to its streaming customers, enhancing its free tier and genre-specific offerings.

• DIRECTV is adding a new dedicated FAST channel for 'Military Makeover with Montel'.
• The channel will be available on MyFree DIRECTV, DIRECTV Genre Packs, and Signature streaming packages.
• The channel features over 200 episodes spanning 44 seasons of the series.

Philo in the News - Philo Press

The page lists recent press mentions, including Page Six's Virtual Reali-Tea Awards streaming exclusively on Philo, and other coverage from The Hollywood Reporter, Parade, and more.

USPI Adds Popularity Score; Owning Content Wins

State of Streaming updated its Unified Streaming Power Index (USPI) in August by adding a new Popularity Score vector, developed with Reelgood, that ranks streaming services by consumer interest across their full catalogs. The Popularity Score averages how often a service's titles appear in the national Top 100 each day over a month, creating a forward-looking index aimed at projecting where audience attention is headed. The USPI separates services into 'owners' (catalog-first platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, HBO Max) and 'renters' (wrappers/resellers like Philo, Fubo, Roku Premium) to signal stability risks tied to content ownership. The August edition argues that services reselling third-party content can post strong short-term numbers but are vulnerable to carriage changes, while owners show more durable demand signals.

• The Unified Streaming Power Index (USPI) added a new Popularity Score metric for August.
• The Popularity Score was built in partnership with Reelgood and averages daily Top 100 presence per title over a month.
• Philo and Fubo scored highly in August despite not owning the content driving demand.

Philo vs Frndly TV: Best Budget Live TV 2026

This Cord Cutters News article (by Jess Barnes, published August 22, 2026) compares two budget live TV streaming services: Philo and Frndly TV. It summarizes available plans and pricing for each service (Philo: Free tier, Essential $25/month, Bundle+ $33/month with add-on services; Frndly: Basic $8.99, Classic $10.99, Premium $12.99), channel counts and examples, DVR and streaming quality differences, and device compatibility. The piece lists channel lineups side-by-side and notes both services support major devices including iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and Chromecast. The article includes affiliate disclosures and links.

• Philo offers a Free streaming lineup, an Essential plan at $25/month, and a Bundle+ plan at $33/month.
• Philo’s Essential plan includes 70+ live TV channels, 150+ free streaming channels, 80,000+ movies and shows on demand, and unlimited DVR with one-year storage.
• Frndly TV offers three plans: Basic $8.99/month (40+ channels, SD, 1 screen), Classic $10.99/month (HD, 2 screens, 3-month DVR retention), and Premium $12.99/month (HD, 4 screens, 9-month DVR retention).