Telly, the company offering "free" televisions in exchange for advertising exposure and user data, faced significant challenges in fulfilling its ambitious rollout plans, according to a recent report. While the company's business model hinges on generating revenue through targeted advertising on its dual-screen TVs, the actual number of devices in consumers' homes fell far short of initial projections.
Internal documents obtained by Lowpass revealed that as of Q3 2023, Telly had only managed to place 35,000 TVs in households. This figure contrasts sharply with the company's initial forecast of shipping 500,000 units during the summer of 2023. While Telly announced in June 2023 that 250,000 people had signed up to receive a set, and later stated plans to ship millions more in 2024, the actual deployment rate lagged considerably. The company estimates the value of each TV at $1,000, a figure used to justify the data collection and advertising requirements imposed on users.
The slow rollout raises questions about the viability of Telly's ad-supported TV model. The company's revenue stream is directly tied to the number of active devices and the engagement of viewers with the secondary advertising screen. With a limited installed base, Telly's ability to attract significant advertising dollars and compete with established players in the connected TV (CTV) market is constrained. The CTV advertising market is fiercely competitive, with companies like Roku, Amazon, and Samsung already commanding substantial market share. Telly's unique approach, requiring users to accept constant tracking and advertising in exchange for a free TV, may face resistance from consumers concerned about privacy.
Telly, which debuted in May 2023, operates on the premise that the value of user data and targeted advertising offsets the cost of the television itself. The dual-screen design, featuring a smaller, secondary display dedicated to advertising and information, is central to this model. Users are required to complete a detailed survey and agree to constant tracking in order to receive the free TV. Failure to comply, such as covering the secondary screen, results in a charge for the device.
Looking ahead, Telly faces the challenge of scaling its operations and overcoming logistical hurdles to meet its ambitious shipping targets. The company's success hinges on its ability to convince consumers to embrace its data-intensive model and attract advertisers willing to pay a premium for targeted reach. Whether Telly can bridge the gap between its initial promises and actual performance remains to be seen.
AI-Assisted Journalism
This article was generated with AI assistance, synthesizing reporting from multiple credible news sources. Our editorial team reviews AI-generated content for accuracy.
Deep insights powered by AI
Continue exploring
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a speech suggesting the U.S. can no longer be trusted as a global leader, prompting a rift between the two nations. President Trump responded by criticizing Carney and rescinding Canada's invitation to the newly formed Board of Peace, further escalating tensions. The developments signal a potential shift in the long-standing U.S.-Canada alliance.
Hollywood bid a fond farewell to Robert Redford at the Sundance Gala, with Ethan Hawke, Ava DuVernay, and Chloe Zhao leading heartfelt tributes to the festival's late founder. Redford's vision, which launched countless indie careers and shaped film culture, was celebrated as the festival prepared to leave its longtime Park City home, marking the end of an era.
Gregg Araki's new film, "I Want Your Sex," explores intergenerational attitudes toward sex through a provocative relationship between a contemporary artist and her young assistant, played by Olivia Wilde and Cooper Hoffman. The film, reminiscent of both classic screwball comedies and BDSM-themed workplace narratives, pushes boundaries with its frank depiction of sex and nudity.
Lights, camera, Chhattisgarh! India's newest ₹400-crore (about $49 million) Chitrotpala Film City is poised to become a major player, potentially luring Bollywood and international productions to the country's heartland and boosting the local economy. With government backing and state-of-the-art facilities, this film city could be a game-changer for Indian cinema and a must-watch destination for cinephiles.
A new mockumentary, "The Moment," featuring Charli XCX, blends fiction and reality, depicting the artist navigating her "Brat Summer" fame. While aiming for a straight portrayal, the film's premise of XCX altering her image raises questions about its satirical potential and overall narrative direction.
Gladys Mae West, a pioneering African American mathematician, passed away at 95, leaving behind a legacy of foundational contributions to GPS technology. Overcoming significant barriers, West's work in programming powerful computers during the Cold War era was crucial for advancing computation and communication systems, impacting navigation and positioning technologies we use today.
This science briefing highlights how infant microbiomes are significantly altered by nursery attendance, impacting their gut flora development. Additionally, it presents the first documented instance of tool use in cattle, demonstrating surprising cognitive abilities in the animal kingdom and raising questions about animal intelligence.
This week's book selections span diverse topics, from the history of microbiology and humanity's relationship with nature to the intricacies of human memory. One book explores Antoni van Leeuwenhoek's groundbreaking discoveries of microorganisms, while another delves into biosemiotics, examining how humans interact with living and non-living entities in nature. Finally, a book investigates the complexities of memory, using the Challenger disaster as a case study.
New research indicates that long-term type 2 diabetes can alter red blood cells, impairing blood vessel function and elevating cardiovascular risk. Experts at the Karolinska Institutet identified a specific molecule within these cells that may serve as an early biomarker for rising heart risk, offering potential for proactive monitoring and intervention in diabetic patients. This finding underscores the importance of early diabetes management to mitigate long-term vascular damage.
Chemotherapy, while damaging the gut, unexpectedly boosts anti-cancer immunity by altering gut bacteria and releasing a molecule that travels to the bone marrow. This process reshapes immune cell production, fortifying defenses against metastasis and potentially improving patient survival, highlighting the complex interplay between cancer treatment, the microbiome, and the immune system.
A new study suggests that giant Ice Age kangaroos, previously thought too heavy to hop, likely possessed the ability for short bursts of hopping, challenging prior assumptions about their mobility. Researchers analyzed leg bones and tendons, finding sufficient strength for hopping, which may have been crucial for predator evasion, demonstrating how AI-driven analysis of fossil records can reshape our understanding of extinct species' biomechanics.
Astronomers have discovered a quasar powered by a supermassive black hole growing at an unprecedented rate, exceeding theoretical limits and exhibiting unexpected simultaneous emissions of X-rays and radio jets. This finding challenges current astrophysical models and offers a unique opportunity to study the unstable growth phases of black holes in the early universe.
Discussion
Join the conversation
Be the first to comment