Tech Media Lower Ratings On LG TV’s After Move To Deliver WebOS AD’s to Older TV’s – ChannelNews

Tech media publications are lowering their ratings on LG TVs following the company’s decision to begin delivering WebOS ads to older models. The move, which was announced last week, has been met with criticism from both consumers and tech reviewers. Critics say that the move is a betrayal of trust, and that LG should have sought out user permission before deploying the ads. LG has responded by saying that the ads are “designed to enhance the user experience” and that they are “non-intrusive.”

The ads are displayed in a small banner at the bottom of the screen, and they appear during both content playback and idle moments. While LG claims the ads are “non-intrusive”, many consumers are reporting that they find the ads to be disruptive and annoying. Some reviewers have even gone so far as to say that the ads are a dealbreaker for them, and they would recommend avoiding LG TVs altogether.

This move comes at a time when LG is facing growing competition from other manufacturers, like Samsung and Sony, who are increasingly focused on delivering a premium and ad-free TV viewing experience. The move is also raising questions about the future of connected TVs and the extent to which manufacturers can push ads to their users. Many consumers are concerned that this move will lead to a more cluttered and less enjoyable TV viewing experience.

The issue is compounded by the fact that LG’s ads are not personalized. The ads are displayed to all users, regardless of their viewing habits or preferences. This lack of personalization makes the ads feel even more intrusive and irrelevant. Consumers are also concerned about the security and privacy implications of these ads. Some reviewers have pointed out that the ads could potentially be used to collect data about user viewing habits, and this data could be shared with third-party advertisers.

The criticism is particularly stinging given that LG had previously built a reputation for producing high-quality, feature-rich TVs that were largely free of advertising. This move appears to signal a shift in LG’s priorities, and it is likely to have a significant impact on consumer perception of the brand. In the wake of this controversy, LG may be forced to re-evaluate its ad strategy. Consumers will be closely watching to see whether LG makes any changes, and whether other TV manufacturers will follow suit.

Analysis and Recommendations

It’s clear that LG’s decision to deliver ads on older models is generating considerable backlash. While LG may see the ad revenue as a necessary part of its business strategy, the company is clearly underestimating the potential harm this decision will cause. It’s important to remember that user trust is hard-earned and easily lost. For LG to retain the trust of consumers and continue its strong brand reputation, it needs to be transparent about its advertising strategy and put user privacy and preferences at the forefront of its decision-making.

The move also creates a slippery slope for other TV manufacturers. If LG succeeds in deploying these ads, other manufacturers may be emboldened to do the same, which could ultimately lead to a proliferation of ads on connected TVs. While some viewers may find the revenue stream to be beneficial, it may be more appealing to some to avoid this. There is no doubt that the technology market has a rapid and volatile nature, and these factors must be considered when making any business decision.

Potential Impact

The potential impact of this decision is significant. Here’s a breakdown of the likely ramifications:

• **Damage to LG’s reputation:** The move is already negatively impacting LG’s reputation with both consumers and reviewers. Consumers are increasingly likely to view LG as a company that prioritizes profit over the user experience.
• **Loss of sales:** Consumers who are turned off by the ads are likely to purchase TVs from competing brands, such as Samsung or Sony. LG could see a significant decline in sales, and that revenue would certainly not make up for the negative impact of this decision.
• **Erosion of consumer trust:** Trust is built over time and easily broken. This type of strategy often backfires with companies, causing an ultimate shift in buyer loyalty towards the competition. The longer this strategy persists, the longer the road to repair of their reputation with consumers will be.
• **Legal challenges:** It is possible that consumers could launch a class-action lawsuit against LG, claiming that the ads constitute false advertising or violate consumer privacy. The potential for legal battles is yet another unwelcome development LG will likely experience, should they decide to continue to utilize this strategy.

LG’s Future: A Turning Point?

The decision to implement ads on older models could be seen as a watershed moment for LG. It signifies a turning point where the company may choose to prioritize profit over user experience. It remains to be seen if this will be an isolated incident or a more enduring strategy shift. If LG persists with its ad strategy, the future of its brand, revenue and consumer trust may be at stake. Consumer awareness regarding these tactics are at an all-time high, and a single mistake in how it decides to approach future business decisions could impact the brand in ways that they are unable to come back from.

Moving Forward: Recommendations for LG

If LG wants to regain the trust of its customers and avoid the potentially damaging consequences of its current course, it needs to make significant changes. Here are some key recommendations:

• Offer an ad-free option: LG should provide consumers with the option to pay a one-time fee or subscribe to a premium service that removes all ads from their TV. The vast majority of viewers may even opt for this feature, knowing they will be rewarded for a higher quality user experience.
• Be transparent about ad policy: LG should clearly disclose its advertising policy in its marketing materials, product descriptions and online user agreements. The lack of transparency and the deception used in delivering ads without user permission was what originally instigated this major concern and criticism from consumers. A new ad policy and transparent disclosure of that policy are vital in their attempts to repair consumer trust and retain buyers.
• Limit the frequency and intrusiveness of ads: LG should limit the number of ads that are displayed, the length of time they run and the locations where they are displayed on the screen. Consider placing ads in places where they will have the least negative impact on user experience, if they feel an ad revenue stream is a vital piece of their success.
• Provide granular control over advertising: Consumers should be able to manage and customize their advertising preferences through the WebOS settings menu. Users may choose to limit what kinds of advertisements they receive, adjust how often they see them and possibly opt to opt out entirely.
• Consider personalized advertising: Instead of delivering ads to all users indiscriminately, LG should explore the possibility of delivering personalized ads based on user viewing habits, preferences, and location. While some may object to this, a personalized approach is viewed more positively than blanket ads, even if they don’t always appreciate it.
• Prioritize user experience: Ultimately, LG’s priority should be to create a premium and ad-free TV viewing experience for its customers. This should be their number one priority going forward to build brand loyalty, retention and ultimately achieve higher revenue streams long term. While a move to target ads for revenue could look tempting short-term, it may only benefit the company in the short-term if consumers do not approve and choose competing products.

The Future of Connected TV: An Open Question

LG’s decision to implement advertising on older models is raising important questions about the future of connected TV. In the face of competition from Samsung, Sony and others, there are many opportunities in this market for brands to increase revenue and establish themselves as a market leader. LG is finding that this doesn’t necessarily happen by going with the “easy way” or an approach that might be appealing short-term but does not prioritize the users they rely on.

There’s much speculation and debate on whether this move by LG will prompt a shift toward more intrusive advertising across the entire smart TV market. Some manufacturers may choose to follow LG’s model, and this will be dependent on the results they see, based on customer response and user perception. It’s yet to be seen how much longer this trend will last or how it will influence buyer behaviors going forward. It is still too early to say for sure whether connected TV will become an increasingly ad-ridden platform, but one thing is clear: LG’s decision to implement advertising on older models will be a significant influence for this change.