Forum Discussion
Just as I assumed... They're testing this on us, they expected some blowback, and they're likely fine with it vs the new ad revenue.
"Roku tests customer patience with startup video ads"
https://www.theverge.com/news/631392/roku-immediate-video-ads-startup
"Roku slammed over automatic ads playing at startup: ‘Considering jumping ship now"
TIME TO JUMP SHIP. It's the only thing they understand.
Personally, I have not found a more powerful combination of hardware and software than Plex + Nvidia Shield, it's as future-proof you can get these days, customizable, and doesn't control your ecosystem like others do too, including Apple.
I just don't get it. Most companies do focus groups to see how changes will be accepted. It's pretty egotistical of a company to just throw something out for everyone then later change back after the customers react badly. It's like a dare to their customers to leave in a market with many many options. Why companies do this is beyond me when there are so many current examples of what offending your base customers will do (Bud light, Gillette, Tesla). Roku isn't even so cheap it's worth any hassle. I switched from fire and Amazon's ads were annoying but more of a background annoyance. This is a in your face annoyance that actually requires user input to get rid of and before you can do anything else. It's like my echo will offer suggestions after I ask it to turn on lights. What Roku is doing would be like me saying echo, then it offers suggestions then I get to ask it to turn on lights after saying no to the suggestion.