Roku Adds Video Ads to Its Home Screen

[@CordCuttersNews]

Roku Adds New Video Ads to Its Home Screen In a Very Non Annoying Way cordcuttersnews.com/roku-adds-new-video-ads-to-its-home-screen-in-a-very-non-annoying-way/ KZbin TV Reportedly Lost 150,000 Subscribers in The 1st Quarter of 2024 As Every Major Live TV Provider Saw Subscribers Drop cordcuttersnews.com/youtube-tv-reportedly-lost-150000-subscribers-in-the-1st-quater-of-2024-as-every-major-live-tv-provider-saw-subscribers-drop/ Amazon’s Fire TV Gets Access to A Bunch of Newer & Classic Video Games Through Luna cordcuttersnews.com/amazons-fire-tv-gets-access-to-a-bunch-of-newer-classic-video-games-through-luna/ Bally Sports Has Until The End of July to Find a Way to Get Out of Bankruptcy cordcuttersnews.com/bally-sports-has-until-the-end-of-july-to-find-a-way-to-get-out-of-bankruptcy/ T-Mobile Will Be Cutting Off 5G Home Internet Customers Who Move Without Telling T-Mobile Unless They Pay More cordcuttersnews.com/t-mobile-will-be-cutting-off-5g-home-internet-customers-who-move-without-telling-t-mobile-unless-they-pay-more/

[@ejc1956]

The ads on Roku are easier to ignore than on other platforms.

[@pfkat9749]

Ads discourage me from purchasing the advertised products. Sick and tired of having products shoved down my throat via ads.

[@kenteagle2918]

I couldn't agree more. Right or wrong, when an add interrupts content I'm watching, or holds the start of that content "hostage" until I've been forced to watch several minutes of ads first, leaves me with a negative association with the brand/product. It's especially frustrating when the same exact ad is repeatedly run to fill in the ad slot time, and those are often run back to back.

[@hpguru]

NO FULL SCREEN ADS.

[@john346x7]

I’ve been a huge Roku fan and have several of them. Ads make me think twice, if ads become too prevalent, I’ll switch.

[@DeathStar316]

just another example of corporate greed..adding more stupid video ads and thinking of how to add even more..stop with the ads allready

[@DayaCurley]

I noticed and was immediately annoyed. I love Roku...but if they force full screen ads I would drop them like a hot potato and never look back!!

[@DerekEvans1013]

Video ads can be annoying if they auto start with sound. I had to turn that crap off on Fire TV

[@purplesprigs]

Why do companies pay for ads that they know people HATE? That can't be good for sales.

[@SlowLegs]

Cus it doesn’t matter if it annoying… it works

[@GreyEagleTech]

To get your attention. If ads are in the background, nobody will see them. Even if they piss off let's say 70 percent of the people, the 30 percent that watch them and then buy the product, it's worth it.

[@crosslink1493]

There's marketing research out there on how effective ads are for a ROI. Last time I was "in the game" the ads only had to reach 10% of the audience to be effective in persuading 5% of the audience to spend on the product/service to be successful. And if continuously repeated, the ads (or series of ads, think beer commercials) would increase consumers' knowledge of the product and further increase sales.

[@loulopez554]

In my opinion one of the reason so many if not all streaming services are losing customers and will continue to is the economy is in a very bad place right now, and paying for several services just to watch some TV just isn't that important.

[@Scotty_in_Ohio]

That and people are starting to realize that the bulk of the content isn't worth spending the time to watch along with getting used to watch then drop, repeat. streaming companies thought they were combating that with higher rates (stay signed up at the lower rate) but it's had an opposite impact. I took about 20 minutes out of my Saturday last week and canceled about 5 services I don't watch all that much and signed back up for 1 to watch something - got a year for $20 - I marked that down on my calendar and when it's due to renew I'll cancel that....

[@MrOmega52]

I don't want an annoying ad playing on the home screen. I prefer te aquarium Screensaver. I like to lay in bed and watch the fish, it's very calming for me.

[@xavierzabbit3580]

Aquarium sponsored by Starkist Tuna, lol

[@henriquejoseph4984]

Antenna

[@ROCnRobert9802]

I like that Dbacks where able to get out of the contract with Bally Sports last year and MLB took it over. I like that I can get the service thru MLB since I did away with cable. I wished that MLB had deals with You Tube TV.

[@RedSoxFanatic4Life]

I’ve been a Roku user for many years. So far the video ads haven’t been very noticeable. If they get annoying in the future then I’ll start looking at alternatives.

[@rtpman1953]

I saw the other day that T-Mobile's soon-to-come mobile internet plan is reported to be $160 per month. It is perhaps something the full-time RV person might pay for but not many others, I suspect.

[@markritacco270]

I have switched to watching all my media via the seven seas method. Ads are NEVER in my life and will continue to be forever forgotten. There is a movie called Idiocracy (2006) where one of the main characters is sitting alone in his apartment and not wanted to be disturbed while “bating” Anyway…this movie is just how I see the future of the USA nowadays.

[@crosslink1493]

Also the original 'Bladerunner' (1984) where all the open space on buildings, walls, billboards, etc. was covered in ads. FWIW 'Bladerunner' portrayed the world in 2021 (!!!). That wasn't too far off concerning the extent of advertising.

[@markritacco270]

@@crosslink1493 That is an excellent choice to compare. I totally agree with you. 👏👏

[@cliffvictoria3863]

One of the reasons I picked up the AppleTV 4K streaming box was because of the lack of ads. Hooked it up today and it's great. Really quick and relatively easy to figure out. I'm an Apple hater so that says a lot. My wife even gave it a thumbs up after I turned off the touch pad setting on the remote. She doesn't usually like "new".

[@dnletoile]

In 2022, I viewed a KZbin video from an RVer who raved about the T-Mobile 4G Home Internet. Said she used it all the time while traveling., but admitted, documentation said it wasn’t to travel. She went on to say her rep at local store told her she could travel with it. So I called T-Mobile and talked to three different reps. Two said, yes, use it anywhere, one no. So I ordered it and went traveling through western states later that year. In the fall, we traveled to Florida for the winter. While there, I kept tabs on the T-Mobile site to see if the Home Network was available in Bowling Green, FL, but it never was. All this time, it had worked. I then tried to go legit and change the billing address to BG FL. Nope, not allowed. Back went the router to the company.

[@Scotty_in_Ohio]

It's the same as your wireless phone - based on where you call "home" if you do not have a permanent residence then technically no. What they want to avoid is buying/subscribing (and paying less in taxes, etc.) in one location for long periods of time _on purpose_. The higher priced service is because they expect people using customer support and asking for dead spot credits. In a specific location also is under competition with other providers...

[@kimbraun0823]

I have a bone to pick with T-mobile 5G internet. They keep sending me ads for it, but when I check it out, it's not available in my area. In these days of targeted ads, what's up with that?

[@chuckgan]

Me too.

[@zacktinayoutube]

Absolutely Ticked off, Just bought 2 Roku Ultra and 1 express device NOW ADDS ON HOME SCREEN!! I HATE THEM!!

[@Scotty_in_Ohio]

all it takes is for ONE streaming device to NOT have homescreen ads and if customers switch then companies like Roku and Amazon will start to "get it" - my hunch is that it'll be a minor "blip" and then people will stop complaining and go with those devices anyhow. This is the main reason why I usually go with a "dongle" or "stick" rather than a TV brand that has a streamer "built-in" although those really do not exist anymore - I don't "sign in" to the TV itself (if I have the option not to).

[@geraldhiler3532]

Roku has too many ads don't need more

[@SouthPawPhilly]

Probably have inflation to thank tor the cancelation of services. It comes down to do I watch KZbin TV or eat?

[@thedude5040]

If your margin is that tight the you have other issues. Sounds like you need to move and and get a smaller housing unit, sell your car and get a cheaper one, get snail speed home internet, get on a cheap cell plan, look at a different job or second job, and cut up your credit cards.

[@jiggrinder]

@@thedude5040 Nope, vote for politicians who care about you and not endless wars.

[@thedude5040]

@@jiggrinder the tax money to ukriane is worth more than feeding starving children.

[@K5UCQ]

Oh, pretty soon the government will provide it for free or subsidize it...

[@juanthompson8016]

​@@jiggrinderyeah politicians actually care 😂😂😂. Wake up

[@jameslarosa2396]

Streaming services are becoming way worse than cable. And it won't be long before they aren't price competitive either.

[@chalabrooks5433]

I'm fine with Roku using video ads for that space because that's what it's always been for.

[@MickF04]

No surprise. People are leaving paid-for TV services that are locked in for a period of time. With streaming, many are either pausing service from time-to-time, or they are cancelling service outright. The content providers are losing their revenue cash cow with cable/sat TV and OTA rebroadcast fees. Gotta make up for that somewhere.

[@BenDMitchell]

Question for LUKE-- Why do you use a Fire TV for your background on videos?

[@SpyderRTL]

Will you please index your videos???

[@joelsheebs728]

Nobody is OK with video ads...f-um!

[@rurallawwildwest9679]

I tried pausing a show to see something in the backgroud only to have an ad pop-up. I the we shoud do a class action as the are stealing my internet bandwidth. 😂

[@richp.5949]

Note to Luke: Me TV Toons is now running a promotional ad on the channel. They started running it Thursday afternoon, June 20, 2024. So views should be able to rescan their channels and find out if it's in their channel line up. Side note: It's good to see many of the old cartoon characters again. I look forward to when this channel starts running regular programming.

[@atinwoodsman]

Roku sells your data and in return you get ads on the home screen, how scummy is that of Roku?

[@GreyEagleTech]

It's the way the world works. Roku doesn't make money on selling these players. They are pretty much sold at cost. It's how all of these companies make their money. Get them in the hands of the consumer and they will make money on the back end.

[@Joshuadembek2023]

Add Xfinity X1 Home Screen too

[@nestofrobins1]

Just use an adblocking DNS to avoid those annoying features of the POS Rokus

[@valeriekuhn3746]

I have a wifi radio that uses the serial number of the receiver to connect. If I go Roku, can I still use my wifi radio? I listen to it most of the time. I am an old lady and this stuff is way over my head!

[@GreyEagleTech]

I always get a chuckle out of how triggered some people are about ads. The truth is without them, many of these media companies couldn't survive. They help pay for the content we enjoy. Here people are on a platform (KZbin) getting free content and still whining about ads. I will happily watch these ads, because I know content creators such as Luke will be able to put food on his table and support his family.

[@ShaneConQueso]

Live Sports is the ONLY reason to pay for TV.

[@Mark-hb5zf]

Question for Luke: Any word on what Google TV is going to do for ad insertion? It's starting to become "I'm buying the streamer that has the least amount of annoying ads, rather than the best user interface (GUI) experience."

[@RandallStevenson]

My new 65" 4K Roku TV isn't even activated.

[@Richardclarkson7819]

As if there aren't enough of the same ads on other streaming services. I've seen them at least 40 times already and could care less. And for Roku to put them on the home screan is really stupid to me and i hate it.

[@davidframe1613]

Unfortunately all great things must come to an end, Roku will probably end up looking like Amazon and Google TV boxes. I've been thinking about making raspberry pie fives with my own custom operating system with all the apps on it without ads but no illegal stuff and selling them on eBay. I know other people have talked about it but no one has successfully done it that I know of.

[@Buc_Stops_Here]

I am okay with the Roku video ads as they are right now. However, making it full screen and forcing you to watch the ad before using the Roku app would kill it. I for one would look for another way to stream and although I have used Roku since 2014 when I dumped cable TV, I am not afraid to change technology providers if any don't force you to watch an ad.

[@JohnSmith-ic2kp]

I hate ads what would be a good information is a player that dose not have ads I will switch for that from Roku.

[@durbansk1]

KZbin TV has raised their price 2/3 since it launched in my area. The clock is ticking on Google's next occupant in the graveyard of abandoned services.

[@MrNorcal81]

No such thing as non-intrusive ads. Apple TV 4K for the win.

[@Briandoesit]

Roku about to kill themselves

[@GreyEagleTech]

😄

[@c-maxxx]

These ads being added everywhere is getting out of hand. Not a smart move on the behalf of Roku. Not the best way to generate revenue. If I found out that a Roku device or Roku TV has ads on the home screen prior to purchasing, I would personally not bother buying the device or tv. There's a time and place to watch ads, which are the apps that utilize them. The home screen should not be that place. I wouldn't be surprised if Roku sales plummet because of this.

[@glynnetolar4423]

Huh, who would have thought. Forcing people to buy things they didn't want is not popular. Who would have thought. Finally freeing those who are not interested in sports for supporting those that are!

[@glynnetolar4423]

Roku: trying to devalue their brand one corporate goof up at a time.

[@donhenry7930]

The cost of property tax and insurance is going up hundreds of dollars a year not to mention the price of food and everything else nobody wants to pay $80 for some TV crap. Not surprised KZbin TV is starting to lose customers as well. It has nothing to do with football.

[@AAa-qd8hb]

Time to boycott buying Roku TVs and Roku devices if they play Ads anywhere on screen. The TV Ads are bad enough. Time to buy dumb TVs without extra ads thank you.

[@Flexin010]

Way ahead of you. Got rid of all my roku players. Got nvidia shield and using my computer.

[@chalabrooks5433]

Good luck with that.😂😂

[@RWRogers]

@@Flexin010it’s hardly even a thing right now. lol Might be a bit premature. But hey, we all knew ads would follow us. They always do! Inescapable unfortunately. Even the internet…. I’ll never forget all the pop ups and junk that comes up when finding content. Putlocker type portals… freebies. lol the downside is that it’s risky, crowded with ads and anything else, unreliable, and not ideal…. Yes, it’s a backup in case ads and high prices become unavoidable. But it’s still quit a ways away. They’ll gradually do this. Not all at once and full scale. Besides, this is Roku, for now. There’s always Apple TV, Amazon fire, chromecast, etc. Plus I’d suspect many more in the making if ads become the way for these devices. They know it opens the doors for other makers to step up… they’ll be careful by how they go about it. Im concerned more for disappearing ad-free plans within premium streaming services than I am pop up ads on homepage. I’ll take a few ads on my Home Screen as long as it leaves me alone once my app is open and ad free remains in Netflix, Hulu, P+, Max… I’m afraid they decide to really test people’s commitment to an ad free experience by really upping the price game and making it something very few will choose to commit to. Just one of them… but multiple ? I know this is coming ultimately. And that’s what sucks.

[@markritacco270]

@@Flexin010 Great choice(s) 👏👏

[@markritacco270]

@@RWRogers Just do a deep search on your browsers for extensions. You will be pleasantly surprised by what can be eliminated.

[@profits_samo]

Hi

[@Gmen2487]

Question for Luke?: Any updates for tcl+ coming to Roku?

[@CordCuttersNews]

Other than them saying it's coming, nothing new.

[@Gmen2487]

@@CordCuttersNews thanks. I had read some things, but I figured I'd reach out to the expert for confirmation.

[@mbs7994]

I’m considering switching from KZbin tv to Hulu live package. What do you think?

[@GreyEagleTech]

You are just swapping one apple out for another apple, unless you are a sports fan, and especially an NFL football fan, you would be making a down grade.

[@sherryhall1259]

We made that switch primarily because there were networks being offered on Hulu that were not offered on KZbinTV. Yes, it was slightly more expensive but still far less than traditional cable.

[@mbs7994]

@@sherryhall1259 for $4 more you get disney and espn plus.

[@xavierzabbit3580]

Time to start blocking roku ad servers…

[@FDNY22]

Let's all leave Cable TV because it's expensive and annoying..... 5 years later: Streaming keeps getting more and more expensive and with all the ads, it's getting VERY ANNOYING!!! Fun!!

[@piman2boek364]

Roku ads - Most have been for services you have to pay for so most of the time I ignore the ad. Will be the same with video ads.

[@jonsumner5899]

Well if they want to innovate they could do like I've seen people do before where when you start a movie or TV show can you give me the option to either have several small ads or one or two really long

[@MikeBirdman]

Video ads are a pain in the butt; see enough when watching shows on any platform, don't want or need more & that'll just eat up more bandwidth.

[@markritacco270]

Just do a deep search on your browsers for extensions. You will be pleasantly surprised by what can be eliminated.

[@markritacco270]

With the advent of EVERY destination/move a person makes in the world today, it is bought and sold by data brokers, it is so much easier to hack into databases. Long are the days where brute force is/was needed and you needed plenty of computing power and time to get to the same results.

[@1415reynolds]

Saw my first video ad on roku not to annoying no sound and there not always there.

[@iTiffanyi]

How do you watch Sky Sports? Asking for a friend 😊

[@tiz6549]

I rather pay for on demand content. Basically, whatever is cheaper!

[@concernednewfie]

Tricks on you. All 3 of my smart TV are connected to computers via HDMI. Wireless is disabled, no connection to the internet. Even the 75in has a windows Taskbar on the bottom. I will never stream through my TV.

[@markritacco270]

🎯👏👏

[@Buc_Stops_Here]

Why would Bally;s make it without Comcast? It seems it is DOA (Dead on Arrival).

[@ecwnikos]

i have a roku video streamme box vid adds dont even care about it the box is fast and dose the job.

[@petervalentine3147]

I haven’t really noticed Roku ads

[@GreyEagleTech]

They are very minimal and unobtrusive. People just like to have something to bitch about.

[@NoHypeMike]

So we already know what TVs will be HEAVILY Affordable during black Friday. "Oh that's an amazing deal" nah it's a trap.

[@TacoRob72]

I just wanna watch my Braves games. I would love it if they would just go to a standalone app for a certain amount of dollars a month so I don’t have to change streaming services to try to pick up my Braves games.

[@GreyEagleTech]

I agree 100 percent. Let each customer pay for the teams they want wherever they live, and enough with the market blackout stuff.

[@OzgurArabaci]

Hi why can't I get vizio on my android tv thank you

[@RJEngle1]

Vizio is a television brand, just like Sony or Westinghouse.

[@crosslink1493]

Vizio is a TV brand, not an app. They do have a free streaming app called 'Watchfree' that comes with their SMART TVs, but its a little lacking in content and you're better off watching the Tubi or Pluto TV apps (or both is even better).

[@SlowLegs]

Don’t give this crap company any more money

[@paulnsharon5641]

Streaming companies will shoot themselves in the foot trying to shove ads all the time. Customers will just say bye to streaming

[@MrMartellSincere]

Boycott Roku

[@chrissmith2963]

And so now I will be ditching Roku. Nice job, Roku 👎

[@jab2505]

In the meantime, we could just disable our connections for the TV. I use my PS5 to watch everything anyway.

[@brandonsmith1198]

My question is, how can you get a prime to a lot certain movies if you can’t afford them that is the question for Lou and and you

[@zanshikaijin2709]

Question for Luke: What's the most efficient way to get OSU football games. My wife is only interested in that team, not all college football. Their games, at least last year, were spread all over. It was quite annoying. We're about an hour away from Columbus BTW.

[@GreyEagleTech]

Some of these games will be nationally televised on one of the big broadcast networks, the rest can be found on the bigten network. The cheapest way to get big ten live feeds would be from SlingTV

[@CordCuttersNews]

You'll probably want a live TV service like KZbin TV and for the game on peacock you'll need a subscription to that. (Go Blue)

[@brandonsmith1198]

Well, I’m gonna say if you wanna watch NFL gonna have to say between Fox and or Fox network fubo and crackle has one way to watch NFL

[@You-sw7tm]

BOOOOO ROKU, BOOOOO!!!

[@shackdaddy7106]

To call these ads as in commercials is a mistake. They are just promoting programs that are on the different channels that are on your TV. I absolutely have no problem with that.

[@amva55]

I think Bally Sports is going bye bye!

[@ejc1956]

Bally Sports will go away this year

[@leonnewhall7088]

You talk way too much about sports channels and valley sports and it's getting really boring I really don't think people care too much about valley sports

[@joym7569]

Some of us care about the sports info.

[@truth7733]

Overpriced across the board for some of the sorriest offering of shows ever. As for NFL LOL that is even more fake than WWE.