Roku Explores Placing Ads on Idle TV Screens via HDMI Inputs

Roku has filed a patent suggesting the possibility of displaying ads on HDMI inputs of its TVs when paused or idle, potentially extending its advertising reach to devices like gaming consoles and Blu-ray players. This move aligns with a trend of streaming device makers testing the limits of consumer tolerance for ads, as seen with Amazon's autoplaying trailers on Fire TV. While ads help subsidize the cost of these devices, the prospect of pervasive advertising may deter consumers from premium options and prompt them to seek ad-free alternatives like Apple TV.