Roku quietly launches Howdy, a new ad-free streaming app, across its devices
Roku has quietly rolled out a new streaming app called Howdy across its TVs, streaming devices, and even the Roku mobile app. The app appeared on home screens without a separate download prompt, giving users another option to explore for movies and TV shows.
What Howdy offers
Howdy is billed as a cost-effective, ad-free alternative in a time when many streaming services charge more and include ads. The service runs $2.99 per month and touts a library Roku says includes about 10,000 hours of licensed content. Highlights cited include titles like The Blind Side, Mad Max: Fury Road, and Weeds. While Howdy isn’t the first option in Roku’s ecosystem, it positions itself as a lean, subscription-based way to access a broad catalog without ads.
The content market on Howdy sits alongside free, ad-supported services such as Pluto TV and Tubi, which remain popular for budget-conscious viewers. Howdy’s curations come from Roku’s licensing partners, and Roku says the library includes a mix of popular films and series, though no new groundbreaking exclusives are highlighted.
How to uninstall Howdy
For users who prefer not to see Howdy on their home screen, uninstalling is straightforward:
– On the Roku home screen, locate Howdy.
– Hover over the Howdy tile and press the star button on your remote.
– Choose Remove channel and confirm the removal.
– If you ever want Howdy back, you can re-download it by visiting the Roku Channel Store and searching for the app.
Availability and future prospects
Howdy is currently available on Roku’s own devices—Roku TVs, set-top boxes, streaming sticks, and the Roku mobile app. It’s not yet clear whether Howdy will appear on other TV interfaces, though Roku’s own content has previously expanded to platforms like Google TV (the Roku Channel was added to Google TV in 2023). If the service grows, it could broaden its reach beyond Roku hardware.
A positive note for viewers
For Roku users who want more choice without breaking the bank, Howdy offers an ad-free option at a modest monthly price, expanding Roku’s content ecosystem without relying on ads to fund viewing. The platform’s push toward a curated, subscription-based library could appeal to cord-cutters looking for a dependable, low-friction way to discover content.
Summary
Roku’s stealthy Howdy rollout adds a new, ad-free streaming option at $2.99 per month with a sizable 10,000-hour catalog of licensed content. Uninstalling is simple if you’d rather not have the app on your home screen, and Howdy could broaden on-device content options as Roku continues to develop its internal channel ecosystem.
Additional notes for editors
– Consider adding a short comparison box to help readers decide between Howdy and existing ad-supported options like Pluto TV and Tubi.
– If possible, include a brief user-experience quote or anecdote about navigating Howdy on different Roku devices to add reader relatability.
– Monitor for updates on cross-platform availability, as any expansion to Google TV or other interfaces would be a notable development.