Roku's Howdy: Affordable Streaming Without the Ads

In a time when streaming services are continuously becoming pricier, Roku's latest offering, Howdy, stands out by delivering affordable content. Launched recently in the U.S., Howdy is priced at just $3 per month, making it accessible through a web browser or the Roku OS app. Roku plans to expand its availability to mobile and other platforms soon.

Howdy provides a rather compact library of content, totaling approximately 10,000 hours from partners like Warner Bros. Discovery and Lionsgate. This is smaller relative to Roku's primary service, The Roku Channel, which enjoys content from major networks including AMC and NBCUniversal.

The streaming service highlights iconic titles such as Mad Max: Fury Road and The Blind Side, along with TV classics like Kids in the Hall and Weeds. Users will also find films such as American Psycho and Divergent, and shows like Ambitions and Southland within its collection.

Despite its smaller, less contemporary library, Howdy's price point and ad-free experience offer a favorable alternative to more expensive platforms. While Netflix and others charge significantly higher rates for ad-free services, Howdy remains budget-friendly at $3.

Roku explained that this competitive pricing without ads is achieved through established relationships with IP partners who value What Roku provides. As Roku's CEO noted, Howdy is not intended to compete directly with major streaming giants but to serve as a complementary, cost-effective addition to the viewing experiences of premium and FAST audiences.

While the streaming service landscape becomes increasingly saturated, the unique proposition of low cost and no ads positions Howdy as a notable option, particularly for those already engaged with The Roku Channel.