7 paid streaming services in the PH other than Netflix you should try

Streaming services have become more popular than ever in the Philippines, especially with today’s new normal where most of us would rather stay home. Netflix is at the top of the list when talking about paid streaming services. But there are others out there that you may or may not have come across.

Here are seven paid streaming services officially available in the Philippines other than Netflix that you should try. Take note that the services here are those you can access without the use of a VPN, meaning you won’t see the likes of Disney Plus or Hulu on this list.

Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video is a streaming service that’s been around for some time. It doesn’t have Netflix’s huge catalog of shows, but it does come with its own impressive list of original content, such as The Boys, Jack Ryan, Invincible, American Gods, The Expanse, The Wheel of Time, and more.

With a premium subscription, you can download content and stream to up to 3 devices at the same time. I actually enjoyed using it when I was given the chance for a subscription thanks to a voucher. Apart from its original content, it still has a thin roster of videos in my opinion.

[Update: Prime Video drops its subscription price in the Philippines. Read about it here: Amazon Prime Video drops its subscription price in the Philippines.]

Subscription

• Monthly – Php 259 /mo

Bilibili

Bilibili is one of the newer streaming services on this list. It’s a Chinese app/site that I can only describe as a mixture of YouTube, Netflix, TikTok, and most, if not all other streaming services.

It has a lot of videos, including anime and new movies because, at the time of this article, users are allowed to upload pirated content, along with their own original creations.

Bilibili is free, but if you want more features (such as premium content, downloads, advance screening, and 1080p resolution videos), then you have to make an account and subscribe.

I’ve tried the app, and it’s okay. It’s as safe as any other app available on the Play Store and App Store, but we can’t know for sure what happens to the data they collect from viewers. If that bothers you, then tread lightly (or skip this altogether).

Subscription

• Monthly – Php 195 /mo
• Quarterly – Php 529
• Annual – Php 1,850

Discovery+

Discovery+ is the newest streaming service in the Philippines. It features content from the Discovery Channel, TLC, HGTV, Food Network, Investigation Discovery, Asian Food Network, Travel Channel, Animal Planet, BBC, and History Channel.

If you, like me, enjoy these kinds of shows, then you should definitely give Discovery+ a try. We were able to take advantage of their promo last November 2021 (Php 129 for one year), and so far, we are enjoying what it has to offer.

Subscription

• Monthly – Php 129 /mo
• Annual – Php 999 /mo

HBO GO

HBO GO is an affordable streaming platform, often with updated and new movies and its own roster of original content. In addition, subscribers can also watch live broadcasts of HBO, HBO Signature, HBO Hits, HBO Family, and Cinemax.

In my opinion, it’s a good second streaming option next to Netflix if you have the budget.

Subscription

• Monthly – Php 149 /mo
• 3 Months – Php 299

iQIYI

Pronounced Ai-Tsi-Yi, iQIYI is like Viu and features Korean and other Asian dramas, with anime mixed in. It’s free with ads, but a subscription comes with VIP privileges.

The standard subscription lets you watch to up to 2 devices. You can also skip ads, view shows in advance, and watch in 1080p resolution with support for Dolby Cinema.

The premium subscription comes with all the standard privileges, but you can stream to up to 4 devices with support for 4K resolution.

Subscription

• Standard Monthly – Php 99 /mo
• Standard Annual – Php 999 /yr
• Premium Monthly – Php 249 /mo
• Premium Annual – Php 2,490 /yr

Viu

If you are into K-dramas and other Asian movies (Chinese and Japanese) and TV shows, Viu is the way to go. Moreover, this streaming service also has a good variety of anime and shows dubbed in Filipino.

ALSO READ: Here are the Netflix plans in the Philippines

Viu has a free version (with ads) and a premium version with a subscription. Premium accounts have access to all content with zero ads, unlimited downloads, casting to supported devices, early access to new content, and full HD 1080p resolution.

Subscription Options

• Monthly – Php 49 for the first 3 months, then Php 129 /mo afterward
• 3 Months – Php 349
• 6 Months – Php 599
• Annual – Php 999 /yr
• Via Smart Giga K-video prepaid promos
• Via PLDT Home bill at Php 80 /month
• Via Globe prepaid promo (text VIU29, VIU 50 or VIU99 to 8080)
• Via Codashop for as low as Php 29

YouTube Premium

YouTube is everyone’s go-to streaming service before Netflix. Its free version is already good enough, but a Premium subscription takes it to another level.

For a small monthly fee, YouTube Premium offers ad-free viewing and background play, offline viewing, and access to YouTube Music Premium. You also get access to some content only available on Premium, but it’s nothing special.

Personally, I find YouTube Premium to be worth the money. Ad-free viewing is the biggest draw for me, but having access to YouTube Music Premium is a huge plus. What’s more, it also comes with a family plan, where you can add up to 5 more family members.

Subscription

• Monthly – Php 159 /mo
• Family Plan – Php 239 /mo

Featured Image: Unsplash