Apple sells a premium streaming box with a price that largely exceeds competing products. But if Apple TV 4K ads start using these new quotes from Roku’s marketing lead, I don’t think Apple will have any trouble making new sales.
Roku touts increased advertising push as good for consumers
Roku today launched its latest streaming sticks, which cost $29 and $39 accordingly.
Apple TV 4K, which is about to get an upgrade but is currently over two years old, starts at $129 and goes up from there.
What do you get for that $100 premium? Well, a lot if you ask me. But one new standout is you get to avoid the kind of OS-level ads that Roku seems very keen on shipping.
Last month Roku tested auto-playing Moana 2 ads right as your streaming sticks boots up, before you even reach the home screen.
Now today after its latest product launch, Roku’s marketing lead Jordan Rost shared the following with The Verge’s Chris Welch:
Rost said “all the advertising we employ is meant to be additive to the consumer experience — everything from brands showing up in Roku City to ads on our home screen that help guide people towards content they love.” The Moana 2 test, in theory, was meant to cover that second point. But based on the customer outcry, Roku’s execution was more bothersome than helpful, even if it was possible to exit out of the ad.
I also asked Rost about some Roku patents that hint at the company possibly injecting ads onto the video feed from other devices plugged into a Roku TV over HDMI. He said Roku’s own platform is the “primary” focus of its ads strategy. But last month’s misstep isn’t going to stop the bigger plan to keep pushing to make ads more shoppable, interactive, relevant, and “delightful.”
If you’re at all like me, you’ll take deep satisfaction in how Welch concludes the article.
He writes: “And if any of that makes you shudder, there’s always the Apple TV 4K.”
9to5Mac’s Take
Top comment by Nutmac
Yes, Chromecast, Fire Stick, and Roku are significantly cheaper than Apple TV. But $129 isn't a whole lot of money, and its values become much more evident when you look at the benefits Apple TV provides -- privacy, no ads, performance, and more pleasant UI.
At the same time, Apple needs to invest in Apple TV by infusing tvOS with much needed redesign and feature parity (e.g., live programming guide).
As a long-time Apple user, I’m admittedly very biased in this area.
That said, can someone please explain how auto-playing ads on startup, or other ads peppered throughout Roku’s OS could possibly be “additive to the consumer experience”?
Hey, at least I’ve now gained a greater appreciation for my Apple TV 4K.
What’s your take on the Apple TV 4K vs. Roku? Let us know in the comments.
Best Apple TV 4K accessories
- Anti-slip silicone case for Siri Remote, AirTag compatible
- AirPods Pro 2 (now only $199, down from $249)
- TotalMount for mounting Apple TV
- iPhone Continuity Camera mount for Apple TV
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