Modern smart TVs are flooded with intrusive ads—from unskippable pre-roll commercials to banner ads that clutter the interface. This advertising overload degrades user experience while raising privacy concerns through data tracking. While solutions like external ad-blockers exist, they often require technical setup and don't effectively handle video streaming ads.

A Smarter Television Approach

One approach could be to build a smart TV with built-in ad-blocking capabilities at the system level. Instead of relying on external devices or network filters, the TV itself could:

• Route traffic through ad-blocking DNS servers
• Recognize and filter ad segments in video streams
• Modify popular apps to remove ad calls while maintaining functionality

The system might include adjustable settings, allowing users to control blocking intensity or whitelist preferred services. This would address both display ads and the more challenging video commercials that current solutions struggle with.

Balancing Stakeholder Needs

For consumers, the obvious benefit is an ad-free experience without complex setups. However, content providers rely on ad revenue, and TV manufacturers often benefit from ad partnerships. This creates potential challenges around service accessibility and legal considerations. One way to address this could involve creating revenue-sharing alternatives or positioning the technology as a privacy tool that still allows optional ad support for chosen services.

Testing the Concept

Before developing full TV hardware, a simpler MVP might involve creating a modified streaming device with these capabilities. This would allow for:

1. Testing consumer demand and price sensitivity
2. Refining ad-blocking techniques through software updates
3. Monitoring how streaming services respond to the technology

Existing solutions like Pi-hole or modified Fire Sticks show partial effectiveness but lack the system integration and user-friendly approach a dedicated device could offer. The key differentiator would be combining comprehensive ad-blocking with the convenience of native TV operation.