Frndly TV Rolling Out Local Channels, But There’s a Catch
The skinny channel bundle provider has selected six individual markets to add some local programming.
Local programming is crucial to many viewers, to the point that some are reluctant to leave their expensive cable or satellite plans behind for fear of losing them. The low-cost, skinny cable channel bundle Frndly TV wants to help provide another solution to this problem, and has announced that starting at the end of April, viewers in several markets will begin receiving some local broadcast channels as part of their subscription.
- Six local stations are coming to Frndly TV airwaves in as many markets.
- Five Scripps stations and one Marantha-owned station will roll out on Frndly TV by April 30.
- Frndly has three streaming plans, priced between $7.99 and $11.99 per month.
Frndly will introduce local channels in a total of six markets by the end of the month. Five of the channels are owned by Scripps, and the final one is owned by Marantha Broadcasting. Each of the channels is independent except for one, which is affiliated with The CW.
These channels will roll out to a small selection of markets first, suggesting that Frndly perhaps wants to test offering local networks before launching them for a wider audience segment. Most of the cities getting local networks from Frndly TV are in the Midwest, but there are two East Coast markets on the list as well.
The markets set to receive local channels from Frndly TV by April 30 include:
| Market | Channel | Affiliate | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | KDCO Channel 3 | Independent | Scripps |
| Detroit, MI | WMYD Channel 20 | The CW | Scripps |
| Green Bay, WI | WACY Channel 32 | Indpendent | Scripps |
| Kansas City, MO | KCMI Channel 38 | Independent | Scripps |
| Philadelphia, PA | WFMZ Channel 69 | Independent | Marantha |
| West Palm Beach, FL | WHDT Channel 9 | Independent | Scripps |
“As cord cutting continues to accelerate across the country, we at Frndly TV are proud to be able to help support the local broadcast industry, and in particular, the important public service of delivering local news, by bringing back homes and viewers into the television ecosystem,” said Frndly TV co-founder Michael McKenna. “We hope to continue to add a local station in more markets across the country in the near future.”
What Else is New at Frndly TV?
Frndly TV is a fantastic way for viewers who don’t need a huge array of cable channels to keep them entertained. The service carries family-friendly networks like Hallmark Channel and Lifetime, eschewing networks carrying content that might not be age appropriate for everyone in your family.
The streamer recently rolled out a new home screen with greater personalization options. This includes a “Continue Watching” row allowing the viewer to pick up where they last left off, and a “Recommended for You” section as well. This new home screen is continuing to roll out on various devices.
Frndly TV offers three distinct channel plans: its Basic plan streams on one screen at a time in standard definition for $7.99 per month. The Classic plan upgrades the screen resolution to full HD, and lets viewers stream on up to two screens at once and includes unlimited Cloud DVR for $9.99 per month. Finally, the Premium plan allows for up to four simultaneous streams, and includes DVR and HD streaming for $11.99 per month.
Frndly TV
Frndly TV is a live TV streaming service with over 40 channels for $7.99/month. Each plan is designed to provide a skinny bundle of family-friendly channels at a reasonable price. The service will appeal most to fans of Hallmark channels. It does not offer news, sports, or local channels.