I had read the the deal between Roku and YouTube allowed Roku to interject more ads for revenue than would be experienced on the Smartphone or computer, however, it is the increasing length of ads before you can skip them that sucks. When you restart a paused YouTube video after a short time you have to watch a 50+ second ad. The in watch ads are also getting longer.
It has become almost unwatchable at this point. YouTube on my computer no problem. YouTube on my phone no problem. YouTube app on my Roku 50 second long commercials in the middle of the video. I like to fall asleep with YouTube on in the background but when a commercial pops up every few minutes, it makes it impossible. This is NOT a Google issue so spare me the excuses. This is 100% a Roku thing.
These ads are completely ridiculous. Today, I fast-forwarded through a creators sponsored advertisement to be presented with a 45 second unskippable ad. Thereafter, the YouTube video resumed (at the wrong spot as usual) for 4 seconds, at which point I was given another 15 second unskippable ad. This is 100% a Roku problem. I can watch on my phone or PC (or even an old PS3) with normal, mostly skippable ads at acceptable intervals as per Googles standards on YouTube advertisements. I understand that Roku is in the business of making advertisement money, but get it out of my YouTube videos and put them in your own Roku app. These practices are borderline predatory and should be ended immediately.
Redlummada I guess you haven't watched cable/satellite TV in a while. Commercials lasting 1 to 3 minutes has been pretty common for years. It is not a surprise that YT and others are starting to do the same thing, especially with the competitive market in streaming/broadcasting/advertising, the mergers of companies trying to survive and, in some cases, going out of business.
Welcome,DrStool!
Thanks for sharing your feedback. It helps us keep improving the Roku streaming experience.
We’ll make sure the team sees this, since your experience matters to us. If there’s anything else you’d like us to look into, feel free to let us know — we’re here to help and want to make things right where we can.
Thank you! Happy Streaming! 💜
Carly
Carly, to be clear, the advertising is so intrusive as to discourage any viewing of YT via Roku. I can watch content I want to see via laptop or iPad with quite reasonable levels, if usually irrelevant, advertising, but not via Roku.
I primarily purchased a Roku device to be able to watch YT but find the advertising it seems you, not YT are inserting, makes the service near unusable. This in turn means your device is next to useless as it cannot reasonably be used for the purpose it was purchased. And that in turn means I will advise others not to bother with Roku if YT might be a channel they were hoping to use, as you have made it unusable. It is a terrible Cx. Got that? Make a note: We are injecting into the YT stream and providing a terrible Cx. Is that noted?
It is so bad that I am now wondering about return of the device or purchasing a different technology and ditching Roku because the intrusion is that bad. You are trashing your reputation over this. Are you understanding? I'm not 'a little miffed'. I'm downroght angry to find the level of intrusion is of Roku's doing. And as a word for the people thinking they are scraping-up some additional revenue, no you won't, as I won't be viewing YT through your service at all, so my ad revenue at least, will move to zero.
So with all respect, 'your team' need to be a lot, LOT more committed to doing something about this than simply "being aware". This needs to go right to the top. It is a few bucks short-term from cramming YT videos with extra ads, or long-term damage to the reputation of the service and customer migration away?
In fact, how about a little challenge. Instead of a pleasent platitude, how about you commit to send this feedback to your CEO making clear that the level of advertising you are injecting into YT content is degrading your customer's experience and 'contentment' with the service, up to and including some customers looking to return their device as the service is considered unusable. Will you do that Carly? Not just a "the team is aware" reply, but an affirmative statement that you have sent this on to your CEO making it clear someone has got their ad revenue/customer experience balance very wrong indeed.
And please be aware, nothing but a 'nice' "the team is aware" reply will be read as "We are aware but don't really care and so we'll send you a nice little note but not commit to changing anything." We will ail be watching Carly.
One hugely disappointed customer
