We’ve all witnessed the rise of those big-name streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, and the rest of the Pluses. They’ve shaken up the way we watch movies and shows, turning Hollywood on its head. But guess what? The party’s hitting a wall, my friends. Their growth is slowing, and the billions they splurge on content ain’t giving them the bang for their buck anymore. The question on investors’ lips: Is streaming still a goldmine?

Here’s where things get juicy. There’s a new streaming sensation in town – the free ad-supported platforms. Tubi, Pluto, The Roku Channel, and the likes are making their mark and proving they’re not to be trifled with.

Picture this: a future of TV that’s free, sprinkled with ads, and full of channel surfing. It’s like a throwback to the TV business of old, and that’s the secret sauce!

So, what’s the deal with these free streamers? Well, there are two things you gotta know. First up, we got FAST, or Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television – 24/7 streaming channels that mimic those broadcast channels you grew up with. And then, there’s AVOD, or Advertising-Based Video On Demand, where you can binge-watch content whenever your heart desires. Forget the fancy acronyms; let’s call ’em free streaming.

Now, what makes free streaming so darn appealing? It’s right there in the name – it’s FREE! People are tired of shelling out big bucks for subscriptions, and a survey even says 59 percent are cool with watching a few ads to get a cheaper or FREE ride.

And guess what? Even the big dogs are waking up to this reality. Netflix and Disney Plus are dipping their toes in the ad-supported waters. They’ve realized ads mean more money in their pockets than just plain subscriptions. Ka-ching!

Ad Supported Is The Future

The thing about free streamers is they don’t have to beg you for your credit card. Nope, their strategy is simple – get you to watch as much as you can, and they’ll earn their keep. It’s all about engagement, folks! Tubi’s Adam Lewinson says it loud and clear – engagement is his number one job.

And here’s the icing on the cake: free streamers cut the crap from their user interfaces. No login, no fancy banners – just hit play, and you’re in business. Pluto TV takes it to the next level – you open the app, and bam! It starts playing the channel you were watching last. Easy-peasy, lemon squeezy!

Free streamers also play nice with the search engines. You search for a show, and bam! There they are, ready to rock and roll. You don’t need to sign up for free trials or deal with pesky passwords. Just hit play, and you’re in entertainment heaven.

But don’t think they stop there. These sneaky streamers know how to read your mind. They personalize content, keeping you hooked and coming back for more. They’ll serve you the right content on a silver platter, and you’ll be craving for seconds.

Now, here’s the thing – free streamers might not have those huge hits like the big boys. But they’re no dummies! They’re cooking up original content to make their mark. Tubi’s got The Stepmother, Pluto’s got a gazillion series and channels, and Freevee’s got Jury Duty making waves and trending on TikTok.

And believe me, this is just the beginning. More folks are cutting the cord, looking for cheap entertainment, and free streaming’s got their backs. The advertising game is shifting to digital platforms, and the future is bright. The research wizards predict FAST channel revenue to triple by 2027 – a whopping $12 billion bonanza!

So there you have it, my fellow streamers – the TV business of old is making a triumphant comeback, and it’s FREE, ad-supported. Ads interrupt, intrude, and be irrelevant, which is frustrating when all you want to do is browse the web. If you’re into streaming TV shows on services like Paramount Plus, or Hulu, you’ll also know first hand how annoying their mid-roll and pre-roll ads are as well.

Blocking Ads

If you want to take your streaming experience to the next level and dodge those pesky ads altogether, there’s a nifty solution for you – investing in a service that intercepts ads before they even dare to reach your screen.

Picture this: uninterrupted, ad-free bliss as you stream your favorite movies and shows. No more irritating interruptions, no more channel surfing to escape those commercials. It’s the ultimate streaming dream!

Now, you might be wondering, “How does this magic work?” Well, it’s as easy as a click of a button. These services, like ad blockers or premium subscriptions, work their magic in the background, silently shielding you from those intrusive ads. It’s like having a personal bodyguard for your entertainment!

However, not all ad blockers are equal, which is why we tested a few out to pick the best and most trustworthy ad blocker.

Our Take:

Top 4 best ad blockers for 2023

1. NordVPN Threat Protection – Excellent ad blocker overall
2. Surfshark Cleanweb – great ad blocker for all your devices
   1. Install a VPN and use their ad blocker.
   2. Use a hardware security device
   3. Build a Pi-Hole

Using a service like NordVPN includes their ad blocker which is called Threat Protection.

Threat Protection works by routing web traffic through VPN servers and through their DNS filters. DNS filtering blocks known ad servers from sending traffic to and from a device. This way the advertisers don’t know who the user is, and there are no ads shown.

Key Takeaway: How To Block Ads

To best block ads, use a VPN because it uses technology known as DNS filtering that blocks advertisers at the source, blocking website banners, pop-ups along with streaming ads like pre-roll and mid-roll ads.

1. Install an ad block extension.
2. Install a VPN and use their ad blocker.
3. Use a hardware security device
4. Build a Pi-Hole
5. Install a (VPN) and use their built in ad blocker

A VPN, or virtual private network, is a service that encrypts internet traffic and routes it through a server in another location. This makes it difficult for websites to track online activity or serve ads based on interests.

When using a VPN like NordVPN to connect to the internet, the service will hide the real IP address. To block ads on websites and other services, use their ad blocker Threat Protection.

Additionally, NordVPN has other features that blocks things like web trackers, infected files, malicious websites, tracking URLs, and it’ll even do a deep file scan on the computer and check for viruses.

All of this is included in the base plan.

desktop ad protection

Mobile devices also benefit from this by using NordVPN Threat Protection Lite and it works similarly by filtering ads out before they reach a device.

One of the big features of a service like this is that NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy, and they are independently audited to ensure privacy.

NordVPN also has excellent compatibility between devices, and supports: iOS, Android, desktop PC, Linux, has a browser extension for almost every browser, and they even have a Fire Stick app.

2: SurfShark – Low-cost option for an ad blocker with VPN service

Limited Time Deal: SurfShark VPN 82% OFF 2 Year Deal + 2 Months Free!

SurfShark Top Features:

• CleanWeb ad-blocking and malware-blocking tool
• MultiHop for connecting to multiple VPN servers
• NoBorders mode for bypassing online censorship
• Whitelister for choosing which apps and websites bypass VPN
• Camouflage mode for hiding VPN use
• Strict no-logs policy for privacy and security
• Unlimited simultaneous connections for all devices
• Compatible with various devices and platforms
• 24/7 customer support
• Affordable pricing no long-term contracts

Surfshark CleanWeb is an advanced ad-blocking and malware-blocking tool that provides comprehensive protection for your online browsing activities.

CleanWeb is a feature that comes with Surfshark VPN, a popular VPN service that encrypts your internet connection and protects your online activities from hackers, advertisers, and other prying eyes. By enabling CleanWeb, Surfshark can block annoying ads and prevent them from loading on your device, resulting in faster browsing speeds and a cleaner online experience.

In addition to blocking ads, Surfshark CleanWeb also protects your device from malicious websites and online threats. Its advanced anti-malware technology can detect and block malware, phishing attempts, and other dangerous content, keeping your device and data safe from harm.

Surfshark CleanWeb is compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. It also supports popular browsers such as Chrome and Firefox, allowing you to use it with your preferred browser.

3: Firewalla

Firewalla is a bit different because up to now we’ve discussed software services that you can subscribe to. Firewalla is different because it’s a network security device that helps protect home or business networks from malware, viruses, by plugging into a local network.

It works by monitoring all traffic coming into and out of a network, and blocking any suspicious activity.

Firewalla can be used to block ads by using the ad blocking feature. To do this, just add the domain to the ad blocking list. It also offers a number of other features, such as parental controls, and VPN support. It is easy to set up and use, and it is available in a variety of models to meet different needs.

Here are some of the benefits of using Firewalla:

• Protects network from malware, viruses, and other online threats: Firewalla monitors all traffic coming into and out of the network, and blocks any suspicious activity. This helps to protect devices from malware, viruses, and other online threats.
• Offers a variety of features: Firewalla offers a variety of features, such as parental controls, ad blocking, and VPN support. This gives the flexibility to customize Firewalla to meet specific needs.
• Easy to set up and use: Firewalla is easy to set up and use. Can have it up and running in minutes.
• Available in a variety of models: Firewalla is available in a variety of models to meet the needs of different households and businesses.

4: PiHole

Pi-hole is a DNS sinkhole that helps you block ads and tracking across your network. It works by using a Raspberry Pi or other Linux device to act as a DNS server for a network. When a device on the network requests a website, Pi-hole will check its database of known ad and tracking domains. If the domain is on the list, Pi-hole will return a blank response, effectively blocking the ad or tracker.

Or if you’re really a nerd, you can even rent your own server and set it up through that.

Pi-hole uses a list of known ad and tracking domains, called a “blacklist”, to determine which domains to block. This list is called the “gravity table”. When a device on the network requests a website, Pi-hole will check the gravity table to see if the website’s domain is on the list.