Is Howdy, Roku’s Budget, Ad-Free Streaming Service Any Good?
Streaming prices are getting out of control these days. At the time of writing, Netflix’s cheapest plan costs $8 a month and includes ads, while more specialized services like Disney+ start at even higher prices ( $10 a month in Disney’s case ) and still have ads on their entry-level plans. So it was surprising that Roku announced a new ad-free alternative yesterday for $3 a month.
The service , called Howdy, quietly launched alongside the announcement, with “10,000 hours of entertainment” already available. Roku CEO Anthony Wood says it’s meant to “complement” premium streaming services like Netflix rather than compete with them, which could explain the low price. But with such an affordable price, it could also be a worthwhile compromise between pricier streaming options and popular free streaming services like PlutoTV, Tubi, or even Roku’s own Roku Channel. I’ve never been able to stick with these free sites for long, but I’ll admit that their libraries, often focused on popular classics, are tempting — the ability to pay a small fee for something similar but without the ads might be just what I need, and maybe it’ll be enough to ditch some of the more expensive big names.
How is the Howdy library doing?
Howdy doesn’t focus on big-budget originals like Netflix, though “select Roku originals” from the Roku Channel are part of the offering. Instead, the library leans more toward movies from partners like Lionsgate and Warner Bros., and offers a few recognizable options. Roku touts Weeds as a standout series, and Mad Max: Fury Road cites Howdy movies as an example. I like Fury Road , but here’s what I especially liked about the service:
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American Psycho
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Cabin in the Woods
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Saw
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Stranger than fiction
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Blade and Blade II
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Escape from New York
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Iron giant
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Dirty Dancing
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Reservoir Dogs
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The Never Ending Story
You’ll notice that most of these movies are pretty old, although there are some more modern ones, like 2022’s Elvis . As for TV, there are some older ones, but they’re a little more modern, with a focus on reality TV. Here are my picks:
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The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Celebration
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The Great American Baking Show: Celebrities Take to the Big Stage
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Hot
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Dan is against.
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The Chewing Gum Crisis
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Pinch/Pull Up
Is this enough to make it your only streaming service? For me, probably not, but it depends on your preferences. It might justify canceling at least one of your expensive subscriptions if you’re a certain type of viewer. Click here to see Howdy’s expanded list of movies , and here to see Howdy’s expanded list of TV shows .
Additionally, while Howdy is primarily a paid service, it’s worth noting that some content is available for free on a rotating basis, with current options including Weeds , The Kids in the Hall , Nashville , and a few other programs.
Where can I watch the series “Hello”?
It’s easy to assume that Howdy’s low subscription price is partly a selling point for Roku devices, and you wouldn’t be wrong. The service is available primarily on Roku TVs and players, but it can also be accessed via the howdy.tv website or through dedicated mobile apps for iOS and Android. So, with a living room computer or an AirPlay solution, you can watch Howdy without bringing any Roku hardware into your home.
Fine print
According to an email from Roku, Howdy shows and movies support 1080p resolution, though multiple audio tracks are available if the content supports that resolution, as well as subtitles. Downloads aren’t available yet, though Roku says that could change in the future. The company also told me it plans to add Howdy to other streaming devices in the future, though details are unclear.
Is Howdy worth the money?
I’ve discussed this with my Lifehacker colleagues, and yes, I think it is. It’s not the largest library, but there’s some good stuff in there, and considering that renting some of these movies piecemeal from sites like YouTube or Amazon can cost $4-$6, having access to the movie you want and the rest of Howdy is a pretty good deal. When you’re looking to rent a classic, it’s worth checking out if a month of Howdy might be a better deal.