Roku is taking intrusive ads to the next level by forcing people to watch video ads before they can start using their device.
Owners of Roku TVs and streaming sticks already have to endure banner ads over live TV and video ads on the home screen.
Apparently, that was only the beginning, as Roku users are now discovering even more intrusive ads, according to a report by Ars Technica.
Startup ads
The new type of video ad is shown before the Roku home screen is loaded. The first reports emerged on Reddit over the weekend, with people seeing a startup video ad for Moana 2 playing on Roku TVs and streaming sticks.
Roku has confirmed to Ars Technica that it is intended behavior, but the company did not provide any details on how often users should expect to have their home screen hijacked.
- "The persistent ad banners were bad enough, but automatically playing ads is unacceptable," one Roku owner wrote on Reddit.
- "Just turned on my TV to see a video open on the home screen and play some trailer? I hope this was a fluke. I trashed all of my Amazon boxes years ago because of this garbage. If it keeps up, my Rokus will be next," another owner wrote on Roku's community board.
Just the latest example
In 2018, Roku announced plans to turn its TV devices into a "next-generation ad platform", which is how Roku makes money, but owners are still surprised at how far Roku is prepared to go.
Similarly, Amazon has turned Fire TV into a digital billboard and Google is introducing more and more ads on Google TVs. LG and Samsung are also turning webOS and Tizen, respectively, into ad-supported platforms even when you buy their premium TVs. Apple's tvOS, powering Apple TV 4K, seems to be the last refuge.
Roku has also been exploring showing ads over your TV's HDMI inputs.
In a statement about the new startup ads, Roku confirmed that this is "just the latest example", so buckle up if you are still using Roku.
- "Our recent test is just the latest example, as we explore new ways to showcase brands and programming while still providing a delightful and simple user experience," a Roku representative said in a statement to Ars Technica.
- Source: Ars Technica
