Overall, in our Frndly TV review, we’ve found it to be an excellent option for families looking for a budget-friendly streaming service that offers clean and wholesome programming, both specs that make Frndly TV a standout option in the crowded streaming landscape.
| Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
| Very affordable | No sports programming |
| 72-hour lookback | DVR and HD not included in base plan |
| Recordings available on any device | Only available in the U.S. |
Frndly TV launched in 2019 with the mission of providing wholesome entertainment enjoyable to all members of the family. Frndly TV offers three different plans: Basic, Classic, and Premium, which start at only $6.99 per month and max out at $10.99 monthly.
Frndly TV’s channel lineup includes popular channels such as Hallmark Channel, UPtv, Game Show Network, and the Weather Channel. The service also offers features, such as unlimited cloud DVR on select plans, on-demand TV and movies, and 72-hour lookback, which gives subscribers the ability to catch shows they might have missed in the past three days. Frndly TV is available on a variety of devices, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Chromecast, as well as through web browsers on computers and mobile devices.
Our experience with Frndly TV
| Frndly TV specs | |
|---|---|
| Price range | $6.99-$10.99/month |
| Sports coverage | N/A |
| Simultaneous streams | Up to 4 streams |
| DVR storage | Classic: Unlimited cloud DVR Premium: Unlimited cloud DVR |
| On-demand | Yes |
| Live tv streaming | Yes |
| 4K livestreaming | No |
Interface experience
Frndly TV’s interface experience is very straightforward. The top menu is well-organized and easy to understand: Guide, Movies, TV, and My Recordings. Frndly TV’s playback window is also pretty standard but has a nice added bonus of displaying a mini version of the live TV guide on the right-hand side of your screen to easily change channels without disrupting your viewing experience.
Content offerings
Even though Frndly TV doesn’t boast as many well-known channels as its competitors, it still offers families a solid variety of content to enjoy. Subscribers can enjoy 40-plus channels, including the History Channel, Vice, the Outdoor Channel, and Game Show Network. Plus, you can easily toggle between on-demand TV like “The Carol Burnett Show” or “Married at First Sight” and several binge-worthy Hallmark movies.You can even add on Hallmark Movies Now, which includes nearly 1,000 hours of exclusive Hallmark content for only $5.99 more per month.
DVR and recording options
Frndly TV offers unlimited cloud DVR with the subscription of a Classic plan or higher. With a Classic plan, you can save recordings to your DVR for up to three months. With a Premium plan, your recordings will stay put for up to nine months. At this time, DVR is not available with a Basic plan.
Viewing experience and video quality
Viewing experience and video quality largely depend on your internet connection, but there are a few things to note about Frndly TV in this area. The standard definition of the Base plan is not the greatest; you can change video quality manually, but you can choose only between 216p and 288p with a Base plan. The video quality with a Classic plan improves the viewing experience slightly, allowing users to enjoy content at a max quality of 720p. There is no 1080p option available at this time.
Apart from mediocre video quality settings, Frndly TV’s viewing experience is pretty reliable when streaming live TV and on-demand content, with minimal lag or glitches, even when switching from one browser tab to another.
Personalization and security
Frndly TV doesn’t currently allow for users to create more than one user profile, limiting the ability for family members to differentiate their viewing preferences. The service also doesn’t offer any parental controls at this time, but since Frndly TV’s programming is set up to be family-friendly, the lack of parental controls may not pose as big of a problem.
Sports fans: Yay or nay?
Frndly TV doesn’t currently offer any sports channels as part of any of the service’s three plans. Instead, the service focuses on delivering channels that appeal to the entire family, including kids’ shows, movies, and lifestyle content. For this reason, sports-minded subscribers may want to look elsewhere to supplement those streaming needs.
How does Frndly TV compare to other streaming services?
| Streaming Service | Cost per Month | Sports Coverage | Ads? | Free Trial? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frndly TV | $6.99+ | N/A | Yes | Yes |
| Peacock | $4.99+ | National, international | Ad-free option | No |
| Paramount Plus | $5.99+ | National, international | Ad-free option | Yes |
| Amazon Prime Video | $7.49+ | National | Limited | Yes |
| Philo | $25 | N/A | Yes | Yes |
Frndly TV stands out from other livestreaming services thanks to its affordable price point and focus on family-friendly programming. Starting at only $6.99 per month for the Basic plan, Frndly TV is significantly cheaper than other streaming services, which start anywhere from $25 to roughly $75 monthly.
Frndly TV also offers unique features such as the ability to pause live TV and watch shows up to 72 hours after they originally air. Additionally, the service offers a seven-day free trial for new subscribers.
However, Frndly TV’s channel selection stands quite limited compared to other streaming services. While the service offers some popular channels, such as Hallmark Channel and Game Show Network, it doesn’t offer many of the more popular channels its competitors do.
In summary, for individuals looking for a budget-friendly streaming option that offers family-friendly content, Frndly TV may be just what your household needs. However, for those looking for a broader range of programming, including a channel lineup that offers sports and news, other streaming services may prove a better fit.
How to subscribe to Frndly TV
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to subscribe to Frndly TV:
1. Go to try.frndlytv.com and click on the “Watch 7 Days Free” button.
2. Choose the plan you want to subscribe to. Frndly TV offers three plans: Basic, Classic, and Premium.
3. Enter your email address and create a password.
4. Choose your payment method. Your payment method will incur a charge each month automatically unless you cancel ahead of the next billing cycle.
5. Enter your payment information and billing address.
6. Review and confirm your subscription details.
7. Click on the “Start Free Trial” button.
How to cancel my Frndly TV subscription
Here is how to pause or cancel your Frndly TV subscription:
1. Go to try.frndlytv.com and click “Sign In” in the top right corner of the screen.
2. After you enter your login details, click on the user icon in the top right corner of the screen.
3. Select “My Account” from the drop-down menu.
4. Scroll down to the “Subscription” section and click on the “Cancel Subscription” or “Pause Subscription” button, depending on what you want to do.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm your cancellation or pause request.
- If you chose to pause your subscription, select the duration of the pause period and click on the “Pause Subscription” button.
- If you chose to cancel your subscription, select the reason for cancellation and click on the “Cancel Subscription” button.
6. You will receive a confirmation email that includes the details of your cancellation or pause request.
To reactivate your subscription, simply log in to your account and click on the “Resume Subscription” button in the “Subscription” section of “My Account.”
Is Frndly TV worth it?
If you are looking for a streaming service that offers family-friendly content, then Frndly TV is definitely worth considering. The platform provides a solid lineup of both live channels and on-demand shows and movies suitable for all ages. Additionally, the service is affordable with plans starting at just $6.99 per month.
That said, if you are someone who is looking for a streaming service that offers a wide range of content, including edgier or more mature programming, then Frndly TV may not be the best fit for you. The platform’s focus on family-friendly content means it doesn’t offer some of the more popular channels and shows that other streaming services provide, such as ESPN, TNT, Food Network, among others.
Overall, if you value family-friendly programming and love a great deal, then Frndly TV is definitely worth checking out. Its affordable plans, intuitive interface, and live TV channels make it a compelling option for those looking for a streaming service that caters to the whole family.
FAQ
Can you skip commercials on Frndly TV?
No, you cannot skip commercials on Frndly TV.
What’s the difference between Frndly TV Basic and Classic?
The primary differences between Frndly Basic and Classic are streaming quality, concurrent streams, and DVR recording capability. With a Basic subscription, you can stream Frndly TV in standard definition on one screen at a time. Unfortunately, a Basic subscription does not include a DVR option. With a Classic subscription, you can stream Frndly TV in HD on two screens at a time and save recordings to your unlimited cloud DVR for up to three months. Frndly TV Basic costs $6.99 per month, while Frndly TV Classic runs $8.99 a month.
Is Frndly TV in high definition?
You can stream Frndly TV in high definition by subscribing to a Classic plan or Premium plan. High definition is not available with a Frndly TV Basic plan.
Note: Frndly TV defines high definition as 360p-720p. There is no 1080p option at this time.