Frndly TV now has another platform for consumers to access its budget-friendly live TV streaming service, announcing Wednesday that its app is now available on Samsung smart TVs in the U.S.
The expansion means the Frndly app, which boasts around 40 live TV channels for a price of $6.99 per month, will be available to millions more households (specifically those with Samsung smart TV model years 2018-2023). A rollout on Samsung TVs follows a deal in April to bring the Frndly TV app to Vizio smart TVs.
"With a subscription starting at just $6.99 per month, we are making live TV streaming affordable for everyone," said Andy Karofsky, CEO of Frndly TV, in a statement. "The launch of our app on Samsung Smart TVs, known for their superior quality and innovation, not only amplifies our reach but also enhances the Frndly TV viewing experience and our commitment to providing diverse and accessible content."
Frndly, which reached the milestone of 700,000 subscribers last December, recently made improvements to its app with three new features meant to simplify and improve content discovery. The updates, which Frndly cited as among the most requested by customers, include a “Favorites” feature, a “My Stuff” tab that combines Continue Watching with Recorded and Favorites content in one location; as well as a TV Series Page that shows viewers entire libraries of their favorite individual shows.
Frndly’s TV lineup includes programming from A+E, The Hallmark Channel, Lifetime, The Weather Channel, and others. After already partnering for linear channels, in December the virtual MVPD expanded its video on-demand catalog with thousands more VOD and 72-hour lookback TV shows and movies from A+E Networks including past seasons of “The First 48,” “Storage Wars,” “American Pickers” and others.
The wallet-friendly streaming service launched in October 2019, touting an affordable price point and a “feel good” lineup of programming. In the first quarter of 2023 it boasted year over year growth across a variety of viewer metrics, including an 82% increase in total viewership. Frndly TV also touted a 50% bump in viewership per subscriber per week, a 30% increase of weekly active users. The streaming service also cited customer survey data that found 69% of respondents, who have multiple paid CTV apps, use Frndly TV as their primary app to watch TV.
Alongside viewership increases, Frndly said in the first quarter impressions also soared 90% over Q1 2022, while ad sales revenue jumped 78%.