Money may not be the primary driving force in the world, but advertising certainly plays a significant role, especially in the digital landscape. The proliferation of ads means that escaping them is nearly impossible, even when watching content on platforms like Roku. Recent reports indicate that Roku is currently testing ads that appear on the pause screen, which has frustrated many users.

It is essential to note that this is still an experimental phase, and not everyone may encounter these ads just yet. The specifics regarding when or if Roku will officially implement this feature remain unclear. However, it seems plausible that the company might move forward with the integration of these ads into its platform.

Users have shared their concerns, with one posting a screenshot of an ad that appeared during a pause on Discovery+. This ad was static and took up about a third of the screen. Initially, it seemed this ad might be from Discovery+; however, other users reported similar ads across different applications, indicating a broader Roku initiative.

Therefore, viewers should brace themselves for potential ads even on popular platforms like Netflix. Another instance of advertising on Roku showed an ad that, while different in appearance, still occupied a similar portion of the screen upon pausing content. There’s increasing alarm among users, particularly because those who subscribe to ad-free versions of streaming services are still not exempt from seeing ads.

This situation implies that even paying customers might face disruptions to their viewing experiences. Moreover, Roku is reportedly developing technology to detect when content is paused, regardless of the device in use. This means that whether a user is on a gaming console, mobile device, or Roku itself, they could be subject to ads when they pause their content.

As Roku moves toward expanding this feature, user frustration is likely to rise.