Hisense TVs add unskippable startup ads before live TV

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Overall reaction to Hisense startup ads

  • Many see unskippable startup ads as crossing a line and describe it as “theft of time” and part of broader “enshittification.”
  • Some say this cements Hisense as a brand they will avoid; others argue similar behavior is now widespread across TV makers, including high-end sets.
  • A minority accept it as a tradeoff for very low hardware prices (e.g., 100" TVs around $1,000), but even they note the user experience is “slopware.”

Smart TVs, enshittification, and lock-in

  • Commenters describe a pattern: devices ship relatively clean, then manufacturers add ads and upsells via updates once users are locked in.
  • It’s argued that imperfect information (hard to know ad load at purchase) and post-purchase changes mean the market isn’t a simple “people chose ads for lower prices” story.
  • Some fear future TVs may require internet access even to use HDMI, or eventually use cellular modems to bypass home-network blocking.

Workarounds and technical countermeasures

  • Common advice: never connect the TV to the internet; use external devices (Apple TV, Nvidia Shield, Linux HTPC, game consoles) for streaming.
  • Others suggest:
    • Using monitors or “commercial displays” instead of TVs.
    • Network isolation: VLANs, DNS blocking, Pi-hole-style setups, firewalling vendor domains.
    • Rooting TVs (e.g., some LG webOS models) and installing alternative apps/launchers, though newer models may have patched exploits.
    • Tricks like connecting to a dummy Wi-Fi network, then disabling it, or physically removing antennas/modems.

Privacy, telemetry, and subscriptions

  • Strong concern that TVs and cars alike are becoming telemetry and subscription platforms (heated seats, apps, data sales).
  • Some report devices nudging or nagging users into enabling connectivity, telemetry, or “AI” features, and auto-installing apps.
  • There is worry about data sharing with third parties (insurers, governments), and a sense that avoiding such tracking is becoming a luxury.

Broader reflections on advertising and media use

  • Several call for stricter limits or even bans on advertising, arguing it has been abused.
  • Others emphasize “voting with your wallet” by not buying smart TVs at all, downsizing, or abandoning TVs in favor of other activities.