Why Cheap TV Advertisements Are Taking Disturbing Turns – What You Need to Know

TV brands, particularly budget options like Vizio, are on the hunt for fresh advertising spaces. One promising spot? TVs that are just sitting idle.

Other streaming platforms are also stepping in. In 2022, Roku City launched, transforming ordinary screensavers into animated cityscapes filled with advertisements. According to Roku, this feature reaches about 38.5 million households each week.

Smart TVs and devices like Amazon’s Fire OS have jumped on the bandwagon too, showcasing screensaver ads. Even LG, known for its premium products, introduced optional screensaver advertisements last September.

A significant player in this space is Telly. Launched in 2023, Telly TVs feature a second screen that displays ads when not in use. Interestingly, customers can get these TVs for free, but they must share personal data, such as their favorite shows or food preferences, to qualify.

After setup, Telly tracks user behavior, monitoring what they watch and for how long. If users choose not to share their data, Telly charges for the TV.

Another innovative player is Glance, which is well-known for its custom phone lock screens displaying news and weather. In December, Glance announced Glance TV, bringing its engaging lock screen experience to TVs. This system delivers targeted ads and shoppable content whenever the TV is idle, without pulling data from the web.

This shift towards screensaver ads highlights a growing trend in advertising. In 2023, a survey from Statista revealed that over 60% of consumers were open to viewing ads on their idle screens, provided they were engaging and relevant. This indicates a changing relationship between viewers and advertising, as brands find creative ways to reach consumers.

As these technologies evolve, it will be interesting to see how user preferences shift. With the right balance, screensavers could turn idle TVs into effective advertising platforms, benefiting both brands and consumers.

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