Channels & viewing

[Clare65]

Is there a free and safe way to get rid of the ads on YouTube on a smart TV, whether or not using Roku or just the YouTube on the tv? YouTube Premium is way to expensive. Thank you!

[RokuCarly]

Welcome to the Roku Community, @Clare65!

Thanks for stopping by. We'd be happy to share further information about this. 

Please be informed that there is no other way to stream the YouTube app ad-free, as it requires a premium subscription to turn off ads.

You may also contact the YouTube Support team for further clarification and see if they can provide you with workarounds as they independently manage their app on the Roku streaming platform. 

You may reach them here: YouTube Support.

Best regards,
Carly

[andyross]

There is no practical way. Maybe some higher end router can do some filtering, but that is only for experts. Even ad-blockers on computers are a cat-and-mouse game.

[AvsGunnar]

@Clare65 

A few different options.

1. use a chromium based web browser like Brave with their built-in ad-blocker on your laptop.  Can also add the Ghostery extension for additional blocking.  Then connect an HDMI from laptop to your TV and bypass the Roku altogether.

2. Use a web casting application with built-in ad blocking capabilities like Web Video caster that is available for Roku. (https://www.webvideocaster.com/home)

https://channelstore.roku.com/details/dd37e6d096d3197a9578787890118e33/web-video-caster-receiver

3. Use an open-source alternative frontend to Youtube like https://invidious.io/ that does not use the Youtube API. (would use with a laptop and HDMI method as described above or can also cast it through your Roku.

4. If you like Invidious.io, then you can try using Playlet on your Roku device. (uses invidious.io) https://channelstore.roku.com/details/840aec36f51bfe6d96cf6db9055a372a/playlet

[Joedyjrj]

Yes, in the official Roku store install playlet, it’s a modified version of YouTube with no ads

[bdpopeye]

Yes..as previously posted install playlet. It is available for free in the Roku store. I've been using it for about a week and it works great. No ads from YouTube. Just type in what ever YT channel you want to see and watch without ads.