The main source for the topic “The free Telly TV with ads is off to a rocky start” is a recent article from FlatpanelsHD, which references the company’s 2023 launch promises and current status. Other reports from The Verge, Ars Technica, Lowpass, and Engadget provide supporting details on delivery numbers, breakage rates, revenue, and user experiences.
Key verified facts from sources:
- Telly, launched in 2023 by Pluto TV co-founder Ilya Pozin, offers a 55-inch 4K LCD TV with built-in soundbar, camera, microphone, and a secondary 10-inch “smart screen” below for constant ads. Users get the TV free in exchange for viewing those ads (non-intrusive, brand-paid).
- The company aimed for massive scale, with plans for millions of units and initial giveaways up to 500,000.
- Recent updates (late 2025) show slow rollout: Only about 35,000 units were in consumers’ homes by the end of Q3 2025.
- Breakage issues are common — reports mention dozens of online complaints about TVs arriving damaged (cracked screens), with some replacements also arriving broken. One estimate puts breakage at around 10%.
- Despite challenges, the company generates revenue — annualized at $22 million in Q3 2025, but only when TVs are actually delivered and used.
- User feedback includes complaints about persistent ads on the second screen (even during content), hardware faults, and overall mixed experiences after months of use.
- The original FlatpanelsHD piece notes the big promises from 2023 have not fully materialized into widespread success.
No major contradictory info appears; the “rocky start” centers on delayed deliveries, quality control problems, and lower-than-expected adoption rather than total failure.
Headline suggestion (under 70 characters): Telly’s Free Ad TV Faces Early Hurdles
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Now, the article:
Telly’s Free Ad TV Faces Early Hurdles
Telly promised a new model for TV ownership back in 2023: a 55-inch 4K set delivered at no cost to users who accept ads on a built-in secondary screen. The idea drew attention, but rollout has hit several snags.
Slow Delivery and Limited Reach
The company set high goals, talking about millions of units and large-scale giveaways. Yet by the close of the third quarter in 2025, only around 35,000 TVs had reached homes. That number falls well short of earlier targets and points to delays in production or distribution.
Frequent Damage Reports
A recurring problem involves units arriving broken. Online accounts describe cracked main screens or issues with the lower display right out of the box. Some users report that even replacement sets showed up damaged. Breakage rates hover near 10% according to industry notes, which adds to frustration for those who waited months.
Ad Experience and User Feedback
The core trade-off remains the same: ads appear on the 10-inch lower screen during all viewing, including movies, streaming, or games. While the company describes them as non-intrusive, owners have shared mixed views after extended use. Hardware quirks, such as panel issues or setup troubles, also come up in reviews.
Revenue Amid Challenges
Telly has managed to bring in money from the ads — about $22 million on an annualized basis in Q3 2025. The catch is that earnings depend on delivered and active units, so the low shipment numbers limit overall scale.
The venture continues, with the company still accepting sign-ups and shipping sets. Whether it can overcome these early setbacks and expand remains an open question.
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