How will Frndly TV benefit from being acquired by Roku?
Roku’s acquisition of Frndly TV has sent shockwaves through the streaming world, with many wondering what the future holds for both services. One major question on everyone’s mind is whether the price of Frndly TV will go up. With Roku’s acquisition, it’s possible that the low-cost service may see a slight increase in subscription fees, possibly by a dollar or two.
Another aspect to consider is whether Frndly TV will add more cable channels to its lineup. If Roku decides to raise the price of the service, it could be to accommodate the addition of new channels, such as Discovery or Food Network. While it’s unlikely that Frndly will start offering a service that competes with larger streaming platforms like DIRECTV or Hulu + Live TV, it may introduce new subscription tiers to cater to a wider audience.
Despite the acquisition, Roku has confirmed that it will keep Frndly’s current team intact, suggesting that major changes may not be imminent. However, with Roku’s vast reach of nearly 90 million households, Frndly TV could see a significant increase in exposure through Roku’s platforms. This could mean more advertisements for Frndly on the Roku home screen and potentially pre-loading the service on new Roku devices and smart TVs.
There’s also speculation about whether Frndly TV will incorporate Roku Channel’s free streaming networks. With the potential to integrate Roku’s original content and licensed channels into the Frndly lineup, the service could offer a larger channel count and attract more subscribers.
Looking ahead, some industry analysts are wondering if Roku will attempt to acquire another subscription on-demand streamer in the future. While it’s unlikely that Roku would acquire a large SVOD service like HBO Max or Apple TV+, purchasing a smaller, niche service like those owned by AMC Networks could be a possibility.
Overall, the acquisition of Frndly TV by Roku has sparked a flurry of questions about the future direction of both services. As the streaming landscape continues to evolve, all eyes will be on how Roku and Frndly navigate these changes and potentially reshape the streaming world.
