Video Ads Autoplaying on Homescreen
please make the setting automaticalty disabled on the filling device types: Players Tvs
Forum Discussion
312 Replies
It wasn't so bad when it was just video, but now it has sound. The main reason I use Roku is for the headphones built into the remote so I can watch TV at night while my wife is sleeping. For years I've been following the same routine - turn on the TV, turn on the Roku, then plug in the headphones before I start playing stuff.
Now, if I forget to plug in the headphones BEFORE (and then there is a chance that the remote won't recognize the headphones), the ad starts blasting at whatever volume it was before, and has woken up my wife at least once.
What a boneheaded move by Roku. If they keep it up I'll just switch over to using the apps on my smart TV (I've been a Roku user since 2012 before Smart TVs are as ubiquitous as they are now) and ditch all my roku devices (and delete subscriptions off of my Roku account). I'll just have to remember to keep bluetooth headphones charged.
For whoever from Roku is reading these, I want to add to the chorus of others that I will also be switching to another device if these auto-play adds continue. Let’s be honest - switching to Roku to Android is an easy process. I hope that Roku scraps the greedy advertising and gets back to the old format.
I've had about 3 of them, including one just 5 minutes ago. And it's usually ads of complete garbage films. This is beyond intrusive. This has to be illegal. I it's bad enough that you removed the fourth of July home screen that you automated, but you automate video ads no one asked for? I hate Roku as company so much now. I will never buy another Roku product ever. I was already angry about what type of company would just automatically stop the fourth of July seasonal screen after years of doing it, but now this! I have no respect for your company. You're ceo should be fired and your shareholders should sue. No Roku products on my house ever again! I will never watch anything so abusive and I intrusive so the ads backfire. This is extremely violating. Remove them now. You are going to get a class action suit. I despise Roku now with every fiber of my soul. I will never buy anything Roku is ever associated with. I'm not putting up with this any longer. This is a consumer revolt. You have no right to hijack the tv I bought and paid for. If this doesn't stop I'm contacting my local representative. I'll also make sure it stops by never buying a roku product again.
I have 6 Roku TVs. (well, 4 TVs, and 2 roku boxes connected to non-Roku TVs). I swear to god I'll take them all to the dump and switch to a different smart tv platform if they don't get rid of the autoplay ads.
I'm not a big fan of having ads on the homescreen at all - but at least the ones that were already there were fairly unobtrusive.- The home screen on my TV should not make noise. It shouldn't play music or audible advertising ever.
- If there's a feature that enables playing some kind of media content on the home screen, that should be my choice to enable or disable.
- Absolutely nothing that the home screen does should make it harder for me to access the content I intended to access. It shouldn't take over control of the menu to make me watch an ad.
If you want to play video ads, play them where the still image ad is and leave the audio off. If I like what I'm seeing, I can navigate over to it and click to watch a trailer or whatever. But this is some of the worst UX I've had the misfortune of experiencing.
I have been using Roku devices for at least 15 years. Long before alternates like Fire Stick, Apple TV, and even Smart TVs were options. Now there are PLENTY of other options. Why drive away your loyal customers?!??. Also, the idea that I paid for this current device with the understanding there were no video ads on the home screen and then Roku devices was able to force this on us with no option for a refund is pretty upsetting. Now I am going to have to go spend MORE money to replace it.
You paid for a device that has a terms of service that says they can change those terms when they want. Your only option is to complain and take it, or to actually go get/use something else. That's your only choices. Most will do the first and very few will actually do the second.
Roku knows this. They've done the numbers and will continue on. They may scale back for a second, but they've already put in place all the things to continue on with this and worse. Just look at how many people said they were dropping Netflix when they started their one-household policy, and how many people actually did. Netflix carried right on with it.
Roku has worked hard to grow their presence including themselves on TV operating systems so that they get big enough that they can do this and a little user backlash can't stop them.
So again, you're either stuck with this and more in the future (complaining along the way) or you become one of the few who actually jump ship. Neither is going to stop Roku from proceeding.
Well I fall into the later category. Already placed my order for an ONN Android TV, which should arrive tomorrow and then the Roku goes in the trash where it belongs.
I'd also like to add my voice to those who HATE Video Ads Autoplayign own the Roku Homescreen! This may be enough to make me consider switching platforms. Please consider this test an UTTER FAILURE!
Yes, joining the chorus to say this is awful and I will gladly switch devices if this continues. I'm not loyal to Roku. It's just a device.
I will absolutely get rid of my Roku TV is this continues. This is a red line.
Also came to say that this is terrible!!! These Rokus are going in the trash if it doesn’t stop.
I wish I had the answer. Video ads are beyond user control. I have contacted Roku twice already to express my opinion about this unwelcome intrusion. I did not sign up for annoying ads that I am forced to sit through until I can use the device that I paid for. I have been using Roku boxes for probably over 20 years. I now have four and will trash them all if this continues.
