If you are comfortable with configuring DNS settings you can use NextDNS, it works with LG smart TVs. Pi-hole is an alternative but it is a bit more complicated to setup.

I used it with a Samsung TV and it worked well, but now the TV completely ignores the DNS setting that's configured in its network settings.

Most people do that to use integrated streaming apps. This is less expensive than buying an Apple TV/Chromecast

I use my Vizio tv for integrated apps. YoutubeTV, Netflix, Paramount+ and Prime Video all work great, except Prime Video will buffer a lot lately but the other apps never do. It's also very easy to enable/disable Viewing Data and Advertising under Menu/Admin & Privacy.

My dad runs Apple TV since his screen is older, and it's marginally better than my Vizio because most of the time YoutubeTV continues where it left off when turning TV back on which is nice.

The funny thing too is that a lot of TV/Cable providers' set top boxes _already_ include built-in apps, so now you've got your TV that does Netflix, Hulu, etc. - then you _also_ have your set-top box being able to do the same thing.

It just makes things so much more frustrating when you're providing support for the less technically inclined.

The cost difference is marginal unless you're buying bargain bin TVs, though.

You underestimate how many people buy that ~3k TV on credit and for whom an extra ~150 bucks for an Apple TV is actually non-trivial money.

In fact that's the reason these ads are there - a lot of people can't be convinced to use an external device to escape them. If everyone used Apple TVs/etc, there would be no built-in ads because it's just not worth the trouble.

I agree $150 might be a lot, but you can get these things even under $30:

https://www.amazon.com/Android-Streaming-Control-Assistant-1...

And Chromecast is arounf $50. That's really not a high price for being able to control your own TV.

If I were in that position I think I'd buy a TV that's lower priced but still quite good ($1.5-$2.5k) and spend the difference on a good streaming box. The value per dollar is much better that way.

$3k on a TV but won't spend an extra $50 on a Chromecast?

It's not just the money. I bought a new LG OLED last year. I didn't care that it had integrated Netflix, YouTube, whatever because I had a chromecast.

But the experience of using the integrated apps is just better. It all just works out of the box, there are basically no ads (some "recommended content", but it's pretty unobtrusive) and I don't need to use my phone or worry about why youtube or netflix have randomly decided not to see the chromecast.

I removed the speaker myself and hid one on my bike, I am super happy with it in Paris. Every minute its precise location is shared through Find My network and I get an alert when the bike is far from me when it is not at home.

The way they are currently treating guests in France (and probably in others European countries) due to the 2nd lockdown is a disaster.