Owing to the losses it has incurred in FY 2023, Roku is looking for new ways to generate revenue and make up for it. Ads are what they are looking at. Last year, Roku proposed to push ads on any device connected to it through its HDMI port. Even though this proposal has not yet been implemented, Roku has filed a patent for it and is keen to implement it.
The mechanism it has proposed involves collecting data from the device connected to its HDMI port. What Roku does unique is that whenever users pause the TV screen, Roku will probe the screen and show ads related to that. It will analyze one or more images in the paused screen, relay the data to the network, and show ads relevant to that. Even if you are subscribed to ad-free streaming, you will still get ads and pop-ups when you pause the TV.
This proposed plan is still in its conceptual stage and it remains to be seen whether it will be implemented exactly as it is or with slight changes. Only a trial project will help them identify what needs to be done. Who knows this proposal might not even get the necessary mileage and will never get implemented.
Once the proposal comes to fruition Roku will start generating a lot of money and will attract many business players to invest in them. However, this will hugely underplay Roku’s concept of ad-free streaming. Till now, Roku has only received mixed reviews from fellow users in our community forum. Only time will tell how this project will come out.
