Roku has launched Howdy, a new budget-friendly streaming service that skips the ads. For just $2.99 a month, Roku users can stream thousands of movies and TV shows without commercial interruptions.
Howdy offers nearly 10,000 hours of library content from partners like Lionsgate, Warner Bros. Discovery, and FilmRise. At launch, viewers can watch popular titles like Elvis, Mad Max: Fury Road, Back to the Future, Weeds, and Party Down.
Howdy is only available on Roku devices for now, but the company plans to expand to mobile and other platforms soon.
Roku CEO Anthony Wood says the service is not meant to replace bigger platforms like Netflix or Disney+, but instead serve as a low-cost add-on for viewers who already subscribe to other streamers.
“People have multiple streaming services and this will be a great complement,” Wood said.
Unlike pricier services that invest in costly original shows, Howdy will focus on popular library content. Wood believes the affordable price — “less than your morning coffee,” as he puts it — will help attract budget-conscious viewers.
There is no free trial, but users can cancel anytime.
Roku, whose devices reach over 125 million people daily, hopes Howdy will fill a gap in the streaming market with its combination of low cost and an ad-free experience.
