Telly, a company that accepts advertising data instead of cash for its TVs, has reportedly had a hard time getting its “free” TVs into people’s homes.
Telly debuted in May 2023. Its dual-screen design can show ads, even when people aren’t watching. Although the smaller, secondary screen can be used for more helpful applications, like showing the weather or sports scores, its primary purpose is to serve as a billboard south of the 55-inch primary display. Owners cannot disable tracking or cover up the secondary screen (or they have to pay for the TV, which Telly claims is worth $1,000), and they must fill out a lengthy, detailed survey to get one.
When it debuted its TV, Telly said it expected to ship 500,000 devices that summer. In June 2023, the startup said 250,000 people signed up to get a Telly. In a 2024 press release, Telly said that it planned to ship “millions more in 2024.”
This is an interesting take on the evolving landscape of TV ownership and advertising. Telly’s approach certainly raises questions about how we value products and services in a data-driven world. Looking forward to seeing how this model develops!
It really is fascinating how Telly is redefining the traditional model of TV ownership. Their approach not only challenges the norm but also raises questions about consumer privacy and data usage in advertising. It will be interesting to see how this impacts viewer habits in the long run!
Absolutely, Telly’s model is definitely a game-changer. It’s interesting to consider how their reliance on ad revenue could influence content creation, pushing advertisers to invest more in quality programming to capture viewer attention.