- A startup from is giving away 500,000 TVs for free — but there’s a catch.
- The 55-inch 4K TVs come with two screens. The second shows ads, along with weather, sports, and news.
- Here’s how you can join the waitlist for the free TV, which the company says is valued at $1,000.
If you’ve been wanting a new TV, you’re in luck. Telly, a startup from a cofounder of Pluto TV is giving away 500,000 TVs — for free.
It’s not your typical TV, though. It comes with two screens. There’s a 55-inch 4K HDR screen on which you can watch TV using the 4K streaming stick that’s included or by connecting a streaming device.
The second screen is much smaller. Rather than playing your show or movie, this screen will show ads, as well as modules that include things like weather, stock market updates, sports game scores, and news.
Brands buying ads on the second screen pays for the free TVs, according to Telly’s website. The smart screen will also give viewers access to services like video calling, music, gaming, and fitness programs.
An archived version of the page detailing the data policy for Telly’s giveaway said one condition of receiving the free dual-screen TV is that you share your viewing and activity data with the company, and that if you opt out, you’ll have to give the TV back. The archived page said if you opt out but don’t return the TV, you’ll be charged $500, but the current webpage no longer specifies an exact monetary amount or that you have to mail back the device.
All Telly users must agree to the company’s privacy policy when it comes to data collection, use and sharing.
Telly didn’t immediately return a request for comment.
Telly opened its giveaway in May, and more than 250,000 households signed up in the first week, the company said in a press release. It started shipping out the first round of TVs last week, with plans to ship 500,000 by the end of 2023 and “millions more” next year, the release said.
Telly’s founder, Ilya Pozin, is known for disrupting cable with his free, ad-supported streaming service Pluto TV.
“The TV is at the center of your living room,” he previously told Insider’s Lucia Moses about Telly. “It should do a lot more than just show content.”
Pozin added that a device like the Telly would retail for $1,000 and said it was built to last longer than traditional TVs.
You can join the waitlist for the TVs here.
