Telly’s “free” ad-based TVs make notable revenue—when they’re actually delivered

Telly, a company that offers televisions funded through advertising rather than direct sales, is experiencing significant hurdles in delivering its promised "free" TVs to consumers. Launched in May 2023, Telly's innovative dual-screen design is intended to display advertisements continuously, even when users are not actively watching. While the secondary screen can be utilized for useful applications, such as providing weather updates or sports scores, its main role is to act as an advertising platform positioned below the larger 55-inch display. To acquire a Telly TV, prospective customers must navigate a lengthy survey process and agree to certain tracking conditions, as opting out requires payment for the device, which Telly values at $1,000. Initially, Telly anticipated shipping 500,000 units by the end of summer 2023. By June, 250,000 individuals had signed up to receive a TV, and the company projected shipping "millions more" in 2024. However, a recent report from Lowpass revealed that only 35,000 Telly TVs were actually in homes by late 2025, with just 28,000 in use by Q2 of that year. This discrepancy raises questions about the company's delivery capabilities. According to the investor update reviewed by Lowpass, Telly attributed a portion of its shipping issues to FedEx, which reportedly delivered 10% of the TVs damaged. Following a switch to a new shipping partner, believed to be RXO in collaboration with Samsung, the situation appears to be improving, though many customers still report receiving broken units. As Telly continues to navigate these challenges, the interest in its product remains high, indicating that a larger shipment could be feasible if operational hurdles are addressed. The company has not yet provided further comments to clarify the situation, leaving many potential customers eager for updates.