Roku should seek out more bundle opportunities for Frndly TV
Roku should seek out more bundle opportunities for Frndly TV
Bundles would allow Frndly to augment its family-friendly selections with more choices for viewers.
When Roku first acquired the skinny bundle streaming service Frndly TV in 2025, some subscribers were likely a bit apprehensive at the idea of the service changing hands. Frndly TV has made a reputation for offering family-friendly entertainment at an affordable price without all of the clutter associated with most live TV streaming services.
Almost a year later, Roku hasn’t made any sweeping changes to the programming available on Frndly TV, no doubt a relief to subscribers. But there is one change I think it’s time for Roku to pursue, in the form of bundles that allow its customers to add Frndly TV alongside other streamers like Disney+, HBO Max, or Howdy.
Offering Frndly TV in bundles with other streamers would allow Roku to expand the programming options available with the streaming service, all while offering customers a discount. Premium Subscriptions on The Roku Channel already offer a large selection of streamers that would seem to pair well with Frndly TV.
That includes Roku’s own ad-free, budget-friendly streaming service, Howdy, which collects streaming content from across multiple major Hollywood studios on one platform for just $3 per month. A bundle of Frndly TV and Howdy seems like a no-brainer; why not offer Frndly’s Premium plan (normally $13 per month) with Howdy for $10 to $12 per month and expand choices for customers without having to negotiate too deeply with other companies?
Once that bundle is on the market, Roku could begin approaching the parent companies of Curiosity Stream, Disney+, Hallmark+, which has original titles that don’t stream on the Hallmark Channel, UP Faith & Family, and others. The programming of each streaming service would fit in well with Frndly’s ethos of offering only content that’s appropriate for the whole family; Disney+ does offer plenty of more adult content as well, but it has robust parental controls.
So, why just stop at bundles if you’re Roku and Frndly TV? Why not start expanding the service’s channel package to include these options automatically, or add linear channels from their parent companies to the Frndly lineup? For one thing, it would require a significant adjustment to the Frndly TV price, and the service is uniquely positioned among its live TV streaming peers currently. Jacking up the cost isn’t a good strategy for Frndly, even if it means adding more content.
And as we’ve been discussing all along, Frndly TV’s curated selection of channels means that parents never have to worry about finding objectionable content on the service. Forcing subscribers to take content from companies they’d rather not engage with would muddy those waters, making Frndly seem like every other service that’s just chasing dollars in the eyes of its main demographic.
Bundles would give customers more choices, without forcing new content they might not want on them. I think there are good opportunities for Roku to start seeking out bundles for Frndly TV to participate in, and it should begin doing so without delay.
Frndly TV
Frndly TV is a budget-friendly live TV streaming service in the United States that focuses on family-friendly and lifestyle programming. Launched in 2019, the service offers a curated lineup of channels that includes Hallmark Channel, UPtv, Lifetime, MeTV, INSP, The Weather Channel, Game Show Network, and dozens more. It’s designed for viewers who want wholesome content without the’ high cost or complexity of larger streaming bundles.