Roku has been one of the popular streaming services among US viewers, all thanks to its customer-centric services, popular streaming sticks, live TV channels, and more. But, it seems Roku isn’t done, as it today launched Howdy, a new $2.99 ad-free subscription streaming service, in the US. The streaming giant referred to this decision as part of its way to monetize the platform.
Roku’s new “Howdy” streaming subscription offers ad-free entertainment at just $2.99/month
So, what does Howdy bring to you? Roku, in its announcement, said that Howdy offers a library of nearly 10,000 hours of content for you to enjoy. This will include select Roku Original titles as well as content from its partners, like FilmRise, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Lionsgate.
Howdy subscribers will have access to titles, including “Mad Max: Fury Road,” “The Blind Side,” “Weeds,” and “Kids in the Hall.” That’s not all; you will also be able to stream rom-coms, ‘90 comedies, and more.
Roku’s CEO, Anthony Wood, says that Howdy “is designed to complement, not compete with, premium services.” In other words, Roku isn’t positioning Howdy as a rival to an ad-free Netflix subscription. However, the CEO lauds the pricing, saying it costs “less than a cup of coffee.” For those wondering, Howdy will initially roll out to Roku devices, including the streaming sticks, smart TVs, and the Roku app.
That said, the company has also mentioned that mobile and third-party platform access are already on its roadmap. Roku also said that it’ll promote Howdy alongside titles available at launch, in Times Square, starting today through August 31.
The launch follows Roku’s acquisition of Frndly TV
Worth noting that the launch of Howdy comes just two months after Roku acquired Frndly TV for $185 million. For the uninitiated, Friendly TV is also a streaming service that offers on-demand video, cloud-based DVR, and live TV. With competition ever-increasing in the streaming space, Roku is using Howdy to bring in even more customers to its platforms. Not to forget, Roku TV has also recently announced a new, free update with AI-powered features to help users with content discovery.
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