Roku Buys Frndly TV: What Cord-Cutters Need to Know

Big news in the streaming world today: Roku has announced its acquisition of Frndly TV! For cord-cutters seeking affordable, family-friendly entertainment, this development could have some interesting implications. Let's dive into what this means for you.

The Official Word: Roku Acquires Frndly TV

The announcement came directly from Roku on their official blog.  According to the post, Roku has entered into an agreement to acquire Frndly TV for a total purchase price of $185 million in cash, with the deal expected to close in the second quarter of 2025. Roku stated that this acquisition aligns with their focus on growing platform revenue and Roku-billed subscriptions by adding a live content offering.

What is Frndly TV?

Launched in 2019, Frndly TV has carved out a niche by offering a collection of live and on-demand channels geared towards family viewing. For those who prioritize content without a heavy emphasis on sports or news, Frndly TV has become a popular and budget-friendly option. Its lineup includes channels like the Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, Hallmark Drama, A&E, The History Channel, Lifetime, MeTV, and many more – currently around 20 channels. With plans starting as low as $6 per month, it stands out as a cost-effective alternative in the crowded vMVPD landscape, often drawing comparisons to Philo. Frndly TV has also made itself widely accessible, with apps available on major streaming platforms, including Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and Google TV, as well as mobile devices.

Like many, I've been a fan of Frndly TV since its inception, primarily for its consistent offering of family-friendly content, especially from the Hallmark networks. This resonates with my earlier experiences with streaming family-oriented programming. I fondly remember subscribing to Feeln (which evolved from Spirit Clips), a service that first introduced me to on-demand Hallmark content back in 2014. I remained a loyal subscriber through its rebranding to Hallmark Movies Now. However, when Frndly TV arrived in 2019, offering current Hallmark content and a live stream that complemented Hallmark Movies Now nicely, I eventually shifted my focus and subscription to Frndly TV for its more comprehensive offering.

Why is Roku Buying Frndly TV?

Roku's motivations for this acquisition appear strategic on several fronts. By bringing Frndly TV under its wing, Roku gains:

• A Dedicated Audience: Access to Frndly TV's existing subscriber base and a strong foothold in the family-friendly entertainment market.
• Expanded Content: A ready-made library of live and on-demand content that complements their existing Roku Channel offerings.
• Potential Content Advantages: As Frndly TV heavily features channels from A&E Networks, this acquisition could give Roku a more direct and potentially advantageous relationship with this major content provider.
• A Budget-Friendly Option: The ability to offer a lower-priced live TV alternative within their ecosystem, appealing to a broader range of cord-cutters.

What Others Are Saying

The news of Roku's acquisition of Frndly TV has been met with various reactions across the web:

• Cord Cutters News highlights Roku's position as the leading streaming platform and notes the $185 million cash acquisition. They emphasize Frndly TV's affordable starting price for over 50 live channels. CCN also speculates that Roku will likely bring some of Frndly TV's content into the Roku Channel as an add-on service while keeping it as a standalone app.
• Android Police characterizes Frndly TV as a "budget-friendly YouTube TV competitor" and observes that immediate changes for users are unlikely. They also point out the intense competition in the streaming market.
• Media Play News focuses on the financial aspects, including the performance-based part of the acquisition cost, and mentions Roku's recent revenue increase.
• Reddit (r/cordcutters) users are having mixed discussions, with some expressing hope for more channel additions to Frndly TV and others questioning the value of paying for content that might overlap with free ad-supported streaming services. There's also speculation about the integration with the Roku Channel.

Implications for Cord-Cutters

For current Frndly TV subscribers, the immediate future looks stable. As Roku noted in their blog post, no immediate changes are expected. However, the long-term could see a deeper integration of Frndly TV within the Roku ecosystem.

Roku users who haven't tried Frndly TV might soon find it easier to access, potentially as an add-on subscription within the Roku Channel. This could streamline the subscription process and offer a convenient way to access family-friendly live TV without needing a separate app.

When compared to other budget-friendly options like Philo, Frndly TV stands out for its specific focus on family entertainment and its inclusion of the Hallmark channels, which are a significant draw for many. For cord-cutters who don't prioritize sports or extensive news coverage, Frndly TV has always been a compelling choice.

My Take

Overall, I see this acquisition as a positive move by Roku. Frndly TV is a solid service that fills a specific need in the market, offering quality family entertainment at an affordable price. Bringing it into the Roku fold makes sense for both companies and could ultimately benefit cord-cutters by providing more accessible and diverse content options. The speculation from outlets like Cord Cutters News about an add-on within the Roku Channel seems very likely and would offer a convenient option for many Roku users.

While I anticipate Frndly TV might eventually be offered as an add-on within the Roku Channel for user convenience, I personally plan to continue accessing it through the standalone Frndly TV app on my devices. In my experience, dedicated apps often provide the most complete and reliable access to all features and content.

Conclusion

Roku's acquisition of Frndly TV is a noteworthy development in the streaming landscape. It signals Roku's intent to continue expanding its content offerings and cater to a wider range of viewers. For cord-cutters seeking family-friendly and affordable live TV, this news could lead to even more convenient and integrated options within the Roku ecosystem. Keep an eye out for future updates as this acquisition progresses!

My Streaming Life will continue to include the Frndly TV app on my Google TV and Roku devices, providing a reliable source of family-friendly entertainment that has been a staple in my cord-cutting setup for years.