Roku is exploring ways to show consumers ads on its TVs even when they are not using its streaming platform: The company has been looking into injecting ads into the video feeds of third-party devices connected to its TVs, according to a recent patent filing.
This way, when an owner of a Roku TV takes a short break from playing a game on their Xbox, or streaming something on an Apple TV device connected to the TV set, Roku would use that break to show ads. Roku engineers have even explored ways to figure out what the consumer is doing with their TV-connected device in order to display relevant advertising.
If they decide to go through with this I will literally replace every Roku TV I own, fuck that shit!
You should probably plan on that anyway. I’ve already seen screenshots of ads popping up over DVDs, offering to sell you what you’re already watching.
This isn’t a threat from Roku. This is a promise to their real customers, the glorious advertisers.