Roku is testing ads that play before loading a user’s home screen, prompting concerns among its customers. The “unskippable” ad was for Disney’s Moana 2 and was confirmed by a Roku spokesperson as part of a test to show ad programming while maintaining a user-friendly experience. However, users on Reddit reported issues with the ad skipping or being unresponsive.
Roku claims the ad is skippable, but it’s unclear if users saw the option to end the video player early. The company did not respond to questions about the ad test’s scope, excluding smart TVs and set-top boxes. Users expressed frustration on social media, promising to “trash” their boxes if these ads became permanent.
The move is part of Roku’s strategy to boost revenue through ads. CEO Anthony Wood stated that the company aims to “make better use of our homescreen,” while driving monetization and customer satisfaction. However, critics argue that too many ads can be overwhelming, especially with content removals from platforms like Warner Bros. Discovery.
If users grow tired of the ad load on Roku, they may abandon their set-top boxes. With its vast user base, reaching nearly 90 million households in the US, Canada, and Mexico, Roku’s ad-based business model could have significant implications for the streaming industry.
Source: https://gizmodo.com/roku-tests-putting-ads-in-the-worst-place-2000577454