It appears that users with the NVIDIA SHIELD TV are seeing no ads on their devices, while other Android TV devices are seeing the new ads, we mentioned yesterday.
Many users on Reddit, as well as myself, are noticing that the new Android TV ads – the highlights at the top of the home screen – are not appearing on NVIDIA SHIELD TV devices.
This is even after making sure that the Android TV Home app has been updated, which is what triggers the changes.
NVIDIA SHIELD TV has been exempt from the ads
This makes it look like those with the NVIDIA SHIELD TV are exempt from seeing these ads.
It’s a bit surprising that it is not rolling out to the NVIDIA SHIELD TV just yet. But that doesn’t mean it won’t in the future.
NVIDIA has gotten preferential treatment for its SHIELD TV in the past. For example, it got Amazon Prime Video while other Android TV devices did not.
That’s definitely good news for NVIDIA SHIELD TV users, but don’t be too excited, as it is likely coming to your device pretty soon.
NVIDIA had no comment on the matter, which means that either they don’t know why the ads haven’t appeared yet, or they just aren’t ready to announce anything yet.
What are “Highlights” on Android TV?
Google started rolling out new ads to Android TV, which are referred to as “Highlights”.
The ads are actually not that intrusive, and I don’t even mind them myself. They are at the top of the home screen on your Android TV device, and show off a show or movie that is available on an Android TV app. For example, some of the ads I saw included Moana on Disney+. Which you can tap on it to start watching it, particularly if the app is installed already.
They really just sit there in the background, without any audio or video playing. Which is nice.
So for most people, the Highlights really aren’t going to bother them. But these are still ads on your TV.
We knew that ads were coming at some point. Let’s face it, Google is an ad company, and makes more than 90% of its revenue from ads. So it was only a matter of time. But these ads are at least tasteful, which is a really good thing. As it means people are more likely to interact with them.