People are using Anthropic’s Claude Code to remove ads, bloatware and preinstalled apps from their smart TVs. And the trend is going viral on X.
In one example, a user gave Claude Code access to a Xiaomi TV, where it disabled 25 preinstalled packages and built an ad-free home screen. The post has generated 8.5 million impressions and 35,000 likes.
Why This Matters
Smart TV home screens have become valuable advertising real estate. But AI coding agents could make it easier for consumers to remove those ads.
Previously, doing this required technical knowledge. Now, users can accomplish the same thing with a few prompts.
There are limitations, however. The approach primarily works on Android and Google TV devices. Samsung, LG and Roku TVs are harder to modify, and some users have reportedly damaged their devices.
Experts React
The trend has sparked discussion on X, with users sharing their attempts to remove ads and improve their TV interfaces.
Here are some examples:
https://x.com/doooyle/status/2111247627748565091https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
https://x.com/gathint/status/2111379569030939102
https://x.com/0900mihir/status/2111746030228455883
https://x.com/halfdantimm/status/2111842197792240094
Our Take
Ad blocking has long been a challenge for web publishers. Could AI agents bring a similar problem to connected TV?
This trend also feels like a direct response to a broader frustration with smart TV operating systems: cluttered interfaces, preinstalled apps and too many ads. As CTV companies expand advertising across more surfaces of the streaming experience, they’re also seeing consumers — at least here — revolt.
Advertising is an important part of the CTV business model, of course, but there’s clearly a balance to strike between monetization and the user experience.
