Homeowners of good TVs and streaming sticks working Roku OS are already topic to video advertisements on the home screen. Now, Roku is testing what it’d appear like if it took issues a step additional and compelled individuals to look at a video advert play earlier than attending to the Roku OS house display screen.
Reviews of Roku prospects seeing video advertisements robotically play earlier than they may view the OS’ house display screen began showing on-line this week. A Reddit consumer, for instance, posted yesterday: “I simply turned on my Roku and bought an … advert for a film, earlier than I bought to the common Roku house display screen.” A number of obvious customers reported seeing an advert for the film Moana 2. The advertisements have an in depth choice, however some customers seem to haven’t seen it.
When reached for remark, a Roku spokesperson shared an organization assertion that confirms that the autoplaying advertisements are anticipated conduct however not a everlasting a part of Roku OS at present. As a substitute, Roku claimed, it was simply making an attempt the advert functionality out.
Roku’s consultant stated that Roku’s enterprise “has and can at all times require steady testing and innovation throughout design, navigation, content material, and our first-rate promoting merchandise,” including:
Our latest check is simply the most recent instance, as we discover new methods to showcase manufacturers and programming whereas nonetheless offering a pleasant and easy consumer expertise.
Roku did not reply to requests for touch upon whether or not it has plans to make autoplaying advertisements everlasting on Roku OS, which gadgets are affected, why Roku determined to make use of autoplaying advertisements, or buyer backlash.