Television has long been an escape from reality, a way to unwind after a long day. But what happens when your favorite device starts pushing controversial political messages? Even in the era of ad-free streaming services, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to avoid unwanted advertisements—especially for budget TV owners.

Some smart TV brands are now inserting ads directly into the idle screen, turning what was once a peaceful backdrop into a tool for political messaging. A recent case involving Vizio has sparked fresh concerns about the ethics of such advertising strategies.

Vizio Caught Pushing Political Ads in Standby Mode

A Reddit user, DoubleJumps, recently claimed that their Vizio TV displayed an unsettling ad while in standby mode. Instead of the usual tranquil nature visuals, the TV reportedly looped a message from former President Trump’s administration, urging illegal immigrants to leave the country. The ad, featuring U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, included alarming phrases like:

"We will hunt you down" and "Weak leadership has left our borders wide open."

The user described how the message repeated multiple times before switching back to the standard ambient clips. When they tried to replicate the incident, the ad reappeared after 20 minutes but only played once.

No Escape from Screensaver Advertisements

While this incident has yet to be widely confirmed, it falls well within Vizio’s advertising policies. Vizio’s Scenic Mode—a feature meant to display relaxing content when a TV is idle—also serves as a space for ads. While users can disable Scenic Mode, they cannot opt out of advertisements when it is enabled.

Vizio has also openly embraced political advertising, previously boasting about running campaigns for political candidates by leveraging its connected TV ads and cross-device marketing strategies. Whether the Trump ad was a deliberate placement or an error, it raises a larger question: Should TVs be serving political propaganda disguised as entertainment?

Idle Screens: A Goldmine for Advertisers

Vizio isn’t alone in exploiting idle screen space. Other brands are finding ways to monetize downtime:

• Roku: Introduced Roku City, an animated screensaver that features branded billboards for advertisers.
• Amazon Fire TV: Runs ads within its screensaver mode.
• LG: Launched screensaver ads in 2023, though they can be disabled.
• Telly: Offers free TVs in exchange for user data, tracking viewing habits and personal preferences in exchange for constant advertising.
• Glance TV: Embedded into certain devices, this feature delivers targeted ads even when the TV is not actively in use.

Are Budget TVs Worth the Hidden Cost?

Once, buying a budget TV meant compromising on features or display quality. Now, it also means dealing with intrusive advertising. Companies like Vizio are selling TVs at lower prices but making up for it with aggressive ad strategies.

As TV brands prioritize ad revenue over user experience, consumers may start unplugging—not just their TVs, but from brands that fail to respect their viewing space. If smart TVs continue down this path, the line between entertainment and manipulation could blur beyond recognition.