Features, settings & updates

[WarwickF]

I'm a long-time user of multiple Rokus, always bought for their simplicity and clean ad-free interfaces. But the introduction of ads to the device is not something I've agreed to and Roku has changed the functionality of the devices which I purchased and which I own outright. If all the advertising is not removed then I consider myself entitled to return the devices for a full refund. Note to Roku CEO: fix this now.

[hnbrink]

I have this happening too. I still like Roku better than Amazon, but I do not like being startled by random sound from an ad video trying to autoplay when I want to go to one of my apps. The ad at the bottom under the Home/Settings list is fine. It's not too big, it's silent, it's relatively unobtrusive. Them still trying to throw in random extra tabs there (I HATE basketball and I've had to hide that one FOUR TIMES) and then adding this giant autoplaying ad window is starting to make me think of dropping smart tvs entirely and just playing everything off my consoles. 

[LMPoe]

I've been experiencing this as well. It's especially annoying because I have a roku TV. Having to see unavoidable ads just to use my TV at all is ridiculous. I don't want to turn the TV on at 3 am just to have something start playing  before I even have a chance to turn the volume down or hit mute. I just turned off autoplay under accessibility and will report back if it works. 

And as someone who uses accessibility options often, hiding the ability to turn autoplay off under accessibility is also ridiculous. The majority of people looking for that option aren't disabled and you know it. May as well put all the sound and video options there too at that point. 

[LMPoe]

I hate that I have a roku TV and have no choice but to use that homescreen. I paid for my TV already, why the heck should I have to see an ad to play my switch?

[zzzzzzzzz]

One more instance and I smash the **bleep** thing with a hammer.  Completely unacceptable.

[sw1107]

Attention decision makers with Roku.  If you continue to force me to watch ads before I can access the home screen on MY device, I will throw it in the trash and never purchase another Roku product or service again.  I will also wage a one man campaign online and in real life to warn every potential buyer of Roku products or services about the shady, manipulative and downright unethical practices in which Roku engages.

[User47]

What alternatives to Roku would anyone suggest? These ads are just out of hand. I remember getting Roku as a Netflix player. No ads. Not bothered. Just movies. Now look at it. Any suggestions people?

[Edc83]

I just made sure to go leave some 1 star reviews on Amazon and other sites, warning users of this abomination and not to hand their hard earned money to a company that is more interested in shoving ads in our face then providing a good user experience at this point.

I encourage others to do the same. Review bomb. Make a huge stink. Once users stop buying these advertising devices and existing users get fed up enough they abandon the platform, they can play as many video ads on the home screen as they want. Without eyes on those ads there is no revenue. All that viewing data they harvest is also lost as well at that point.

My Roku Smart home subscription? Cancelled. All my Roku devices will become just more electronics in the landfill. 

Roku, I hope you enjoy the small boost in your ad revenue the next couple quarters from this nonsense. Long term, you're committing financial suicide by alienating loyal users and eroding your own market share. MBA's and C-suite execs working at Roku are so dumb, greedy, and short sighted in their thinking. I imagine they were told this was a horrible idea but all they see is $$$.

[makaiguy]

Got my second instance this morning.  Ad for "Wicked".

[RP08]

Don't forget that when you decide to move away from Roku, factory reset your device first, and delete your Roku account. That will show the actual drop in subscribers. Otherwise, you'll just look dormant, but they'll still have a large subscriber count.