Roku, a leading player in the streaming industry, has unveiled its latest offering: Howdy, an ad-free subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service priced at $2.99 per month. This new service aims to provide affordable, high-quality entertainment to a broad audience.
Extensive Content Library
Howdy boasts a diverse library featuring nearly 10,000 hours of content. Subscribers can enjoy a mix of acclaimed films and popular television series, including titles like Mad Max: Fury Road, The Blind Side, Weeds, and Kids in the Hall. The service spans various genres, offering romantic comedies, medical dramas, 1990s comedies, and feel-good classics, ensuring a wide array of options for viewers.
Strategic Partnerships
To curate this extensive content library, Roku has partnered with industry giants such as Lionsgate, Warner Bros. Discovery, and FilmRise. Additionally, Howdy will feature select Roku Original titles, further enhancing its unique offerings.
Complementing Existing Services
Anthony Wood, Roku’s founder and CEO, emphasized that Howdy is designed to complement, not compete with, existing premium services. This strategic positioning allows Roku to cater to viewers seeking affordable, ad-free entertainment without overlapping with other premium offerings.
Recent Acquisitions and Growth
This launch follows Roku’s recent acquisition of Frndly TV for $185 million. Frndly TV is known for offering live TV, on-demand video, and cloud-based DVR services. The addition of Howdy to Roku’s portfolio signifies the company’s commitment to expanding its content offerings and enhancing user experience.
Roku’s Expanding Reach
Howdy joins The Roku Channel, Roku’s free, ad-supported streaming service, which has become the most popular FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) service, surpassing competitors like Tubi and Pluto TV. With over 125 million daily users and more than 90 million streaming households, Roku’s extensive reach positions Howdy for significant growth.
Financial Performance
In its recent second-quarter financial report, Roku announced a 15% revenue growth, exceeding expectations. Streaming hours on the platform reached 35.4 billion, marking an increase of 5.2 billion hours compared to the previous year. These figures underscore Roku’s robust performance and the potential success of Howdy in the competitive streaming market.
