Cheap TVs’ incessant advertising reaches troubling new lows – Ars Technica

🔍 Summary:

In an op-ed, concerns are raised about the intrusion of politically charged advertisements into the relaxing screensaver modes of budget TVs, specifically targeting a Vizio TV owner’s experience. The user, identified as DoubleJumps on Reddit, reported that their Vizio TV, while in idle mode, played a looped message from the Trump administration through its Scenic Mode, which is meant to display calming visuals and music. The message, featuring US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, aggressively addressed illegal immigrants, warning of severe consequences for illegal entry into the U.S.

This incident highlights a broader issue with budget TV brands like Vizio, which are increasingly using idle screen time to display advertisements as a revenue strategy. This practice raises questions about the appropriateness of the content being shown, especially when the screensaver mode is intended to provide a relaxing backdrop. Vizio’s Scenic Mode, which cannot be used without also displaying ads, is part of the company’s effort to fund its services and maintain low product prices.

The article also touches on the industry-wide trend of monetizing TV screensaver spaces, noting other companies like Roku, Amazon’s Fire OS, and LG are exploring similar advertising avenues. A new startup, Telly, is pushing this further by offering TVs for free in exchange for extensive user data and displaying ads when the TV is idle.

The op-ed criticizes the lack of discretion in ad placement on such devices, arguing that political ads, especially those that might be seen as threatening or divisive, should not be part of an experience marketed as enhancing the ambiance of one’s home or office. The piece calls for a balance between corporate advertising needs and maintaining a respectful and appropriate viewing environment, suggesting that without this balance, consumers might increasingly turn away from these brands.

📌 Source: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/04/cheap-tvs-incessant-advertising-reaches-troubling-new-lows/